"Every major country uses network attack capabilities for security, but China is unique in how they also use it for economic advantage."

As the Snowden documents proved, your accusation singling out China is false.. The Canadian government's network attack against the Brazilian Ministry of Mines was seeking information that could provide an economic advantage.

Moreover, Canada is explicit about what its spies of all sorts are tasked with protecting: the military, economic and social security of our country. And that's as it should be. A country can be brought to its knees by economic means, just as it could by a military blockade. Or social chaos can be fomented, leading to the fall of government.

Canada isn't at primary risk due to military threats. Our nation's well-being is most at risk from economic attacks and the manipulation of social unrest. Absent a treaty, it would be irresponsible of any government to not use electronic capabilities to its advantage against those risks.