TORONTO—A senior executive with Huawei Canada is leaving his post after working for more than seven years for the Chinese telecom giant, which is facing increasing scrutiny over its close ties to Beijing.
Scott Bradley, who was Huawei Canada’s senior vice president for corporate affairs, indicated in a LinkedIn post that he no longer holds that position. He could not be immediately reached for comments.
Huawei, founded by Ren Zhengfei—a former officer at China’s People’s Liberation Army—has been cited as a security risk in intelligence circles due to having close ties to the Chinese communist regime. Western intelligence officials have raised concerns Beijing could use the company’s equipment for espionage.
The company is also at the center of a diplomatic spat between China and Canada as its chief financial officer and Ren’s daughter, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada on an extradition request from the United States. Following Meng’s arrest, China warned Canada of “grave consequences,” and has since detained two Canadians on charges of endangering national security.
In a previous interview with The Epoch Times, Bradley denied that Huawei is connected to the Chinese regime.
Huawei Espionage Concerns
On Jan. 11, Reuters reported Polish officials had arrested a Huawei employee and former Polish security official on spying allegations.
Last year, The Australian newspaper reported officials in the land ‘Down Under’ had received reports about Chinese spies using Huawei to infiltrate a “foreign network.”
Most of Canada’s allies in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance have banned the Chinese telco from their emerging 5G networks, the next evolution in wireless internet technology.
Key Advisory Role
Bradley served as a key spokesperson for Huawei Canada, which is a major supplier for Canada’s major telecom companies.
Going forward, he will serve as special adviser to the company, assisting “as required,” Huawei Canada President Eric Li said in a memo to staff obtained by Reuters.
“We are saddened to see him leave but grateful for the tireless work he has put in to help us grow our brand and public image, and build various relationships with government,” Li said.
Bradley ran as a federal Liberal candidate for Ottawa Centre in 2011 general election but was defeated.
With files from Reuters
