Liberals want probe into alleged leak of reporter's name: Knowledge Driven Revolution

The Liberals are calling for the resignation of a senior member of the prime minister's staff after the name of a reporter seeking documents under the Access to Information Act was given to top government officials.

Treasury Board President John Baird is set to meet with Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart on Thursday to discuss the incident, though it is not yet being called an investigation.

A report in Wednesday's Montreal Gazette indicated there may have been a breach of the anonymity legally required for an individual making an access request under the Privacy Act.

Communications director Sandra Buckler, the report said, was one of a number of members of the Prime Minister's Office to learn the name of the journalist who made a request to Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.

"Members of the prime minister's political staff, including his director of communications, have illegally received the name of a reporter who filed a confidential access to information request," Liberal MP Stephen Owen said during Wednesday's question period.

"This is not only improper, it is against the law."

It is maintained that Buckler was copied on an e-mail from the Department of Public Safety in which Canadian Press reporter Jim Bronskill was identified.

"I found out about the issue just today," said Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. "I immediately asked my officials to look into the matter and get all the details."

Buckler, who is currently in the U.S., has said she never read the e-mail. Other government officials told CBC News that she didn't ask for the information, and that it was only assumed that Bronskill made the request, but it was never known for sure.

Several Liberals said those claims weren't plausible, and were worried about the ramifications of such a practice, which could include restricting a reporter's access to government officials.

"It couldn't possibly be more sensitive in her hands, this type of information," Owen told reporters.

One former Liberal staffer told CBC News that the names of individuals who had made access requests were routinely obtained during the Jean Chrétien government, but another denied that claim.

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HOME V for Vendetta - R for Reality Canadian Bird Flu Pandemic Looming ? Shill of the Week: Stephan Harper Aspartame: The Sweetest Killer Chicken Little Terrorist of the Week: Creating Fake Terrorists Shill of the Week: Paul Martin The Number 1 Reason YOU became a Slave	Liberals want probe into alleged leak of reporter's name CBC News September 22, 2006 The Liberals are calling for the resignation of a senior member of the prime minister's staff after the name of a reporter seeking documents under the Access to Information Act was given to top government officials. Treasury Board President John Baird is set to meet with Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart on Thursday to discuss the incident, though it is not yet being called an investigation. A report in Wednesday's Montreal Gazette indicated there may have been a breach of the anonymity legally required for an individual making an access request under the Privacy Act. Communications director Sandra Buckler, the report said, was one of a number of members of the Prime Minister's Office to learn the name of the journalist who made a request to Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. "Members of the prime minister's political staff, including his director of communications, have illegally received the name of a reporter who filed a confidential access to information request," Liberal MP Stephen Owen said during Wednesday's question period. "This is not only improper, it is against the law." It is maintained that Buckler was copied on an e-mail from the Department of Public Safety in which Canadian Press reporter Jim Bronskill was identified. "I found out about the issue just today," said Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. "I immediately asked my officials to look into the matter and get all the details." Buckler, who is currently in the U.S., has said she never read the e-mail. Other government officials told CBC News that she didn't ask for the information, and that it was only assumed that Bronskill made the request, but it was never known for sure. Several Liberals said those claims weren't plausible, and were worried about the ramifications of such a practice, which could include restricting a reporter's access to government officials. "It couldn't possibly be more sensitive in her hands, this type of information," Owen told reporters. One former Liberal staffer told CBC News that the names of individuals who had made access requests were routinely obtained during the Jean Chrétien government, but another denied that claim. Read the full article here Broken Link? If the link to the original article is broken or has been altered you can view the article by clicking here. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Features Archive
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