Canada says NORAD tracking high-altitude surveillance balloon detected over the U.S.

OTTAWA - The Department of National Defence says Canada is working with the United States to protect sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats after a high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected. The U.S. says it is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a few days. The statement doesn’t mention China or state whether the surveillance balloon flew over Canadian airspace. The defence official said the U.S. has “engaged” Chinese officials through multiple channels and communicated the seriousness of the matter. The senior defence official said the U.S. did get fighter jets, including F-22s, ready to shoot down the balloon if ordered to by the White House.