Federal Adviser Advocates for Government-Wide Security Clearance Registry Senior federal adviser David Morrison recommends a centralized registry to streamline security clearance processing and prevent information duplication across departments. The proposal emerges amid a parliamentary investigation into a failed clearance for a suspect arrested on espionage charges. OTTAWA - A senior federal adviser says a government-wide registry of security clearance information would improve efficiency, reduce duplication and help departments identify where relevant personnel security data may already exist. David Morrison Proposes Security RegistryDavid Morrison, senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser to the prime minister, told MPs on a House of Commons committee such a registry would be one way to strengthen Canada's national security screening process. The Commons public safety and national security committee is holding hearings on the screening process following the arrest of a Canadian NATO intern on espionage allegations.A federal source not authorized to speak publicly about the issue has said officials in Canada were proceeding on the basis the suspect is Biwei Zhang - also known as Claire Zhang - who was previously employed by Canadian government agencies. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree previously told the committee the woman arrested in Belgium had received a security clearance from Global Affairs Canada.Security Clearance Granted Despite FraudThe clearance was granted even though court records said the federal Public Service Commission found in 2023 that Zhang committed fraud in an appointment process for a position with the Canada Border Services Agency.