Freedom of Expression
Canada
Judicial actions
22. In July 2002, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police obtained a search warrant and assistance order against the National Post to require the Post's editor-in-chief to hand over documents pertaining to a controversy over a loan involving the Prime Minister. The paper has presented legal challenges to the order. On October 3, 2002, a judge in the Ontario Superior Court granted a request by two additional media organizations, the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) and the Globe and Mail, to intervene in the case, stating that the limits on police powers in the investigation of crime is an "important public issue" requiring a "full hearing."[1]
23. On November 4, 2002, the Toronto Police seized the unedited tapes of an interview conducted by W-5, a CTV program. The interview, which had not yet been aired at the time of the seizure, was with Salim Danji, who is awaiting trial in a case of alleged investment fraud. The Police obtained a warrant for the tapes stating that the material could be helpful to their investigation of the case.[2]