Federal Ministry of Justice wins 2nd annual Code of Silence Award

OTTAWA  (April 13, 2002) - The Canadian Association of Journalists has awarded the federal Department of Justice its second annual Code of Silence Award, recognizing the most secretive government department in Canada.

"The deep commitment many civil servants have to keeping information locked away from the public -- the very people who own the information -- is finally being honoured with this award," said Robert Cribb, CAJ president. "This is a celebration of the extraordinary effort made in government departments every day to maintain the shroud of secrecy around information about everything from public-health risks to how our tax dollars are spent. We salute those who keep their vow to the code of silence."

The award was announced Saturday as part of the CAJ's award ceremony held during the Association's national annual conference. The ministry was invited to receive the honour, but declined. The Code of Silence award -- a plaque featuring a padlock hanging >from chains -- was accepted on behalf of the department.

The federal Department of Justice received the honour for giving itself the power, under Bill C-36, to override the Access to Information Act and withhold information relating to international relations, national security or defence it deems sensitive. Under the bill, the government can issue certificates suspending the Access to Information Act for a period of 15 years and Canada's Attorney General can conceal information even from the federal Information Commissioner who reviews complaints under the act.

"The government already has more than sufficient powers to prevent the release of truly sensitive information -- powers it has been exercising liberally for years," said Cribb. "Bill C-36 is an extraordinary infringement on access to information rights in Canada, wrapping government officials in secrecy and preventing Canadians from knowing how their elected officials act in their name." 

Studies recently prepared for the federal government have confirmed that the existing law provides sufficient protection for national security interests. An external advisory panel appointed by the Minister of Justice also warned against such amendments to existing law. In the United States, no amendments to the federal Freedom of Information Act have been proposed.

The Department of Justice was chosen by journalists and members of the public over two other nominees:

• The federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for holding closed-door NAFTA Chapter 11 tribunals. The tribunals allow corporations doing business in Mexico, Canada, or the United States to attempt to seek reimbursement for any government law or regulation that harms the company's profits. To date, corporations have used Chapter 11 to challenge the Canadian government's ban on the export of hazardous waste, its ban on the import of a gasoline additive and a B.C. government refusal to allow the export of bulk water. All Chapter 11 hearings are held behind closed doors.



• The federal Treasury Board for keeping cabinet ministers' expense records secret. Under the government's new guidelines everything from restaurant bills to travel expenses to credit card receipts charged to the public purse by cabinet ministers or aides can only be released with their permission. The release of ministers' expense records in the past has exposed instances of public officials wasting millions in taxpayer dollars.



• Last year, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment received the Code of Silence Award for withholding information about the Walkerton water tragedy that claimed six lives and sickened hundreds more following contamination of the town's water system.



• The Canadian Association of Journalists is a professional organization with 1,500 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary role is to provide political advocacy and quality professional development for its members.



• The Canadian Association of Journalists is a professional organization with 1,500 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary role is to provide political advocacy and quality professional development for its members.

For further information:

John Dickins, CAJ Executive Director, 
(613) 526-8061, Cell phone (613) 290-2903