FROM CANADIAN PRESS
Jun. 29, 2005. 11:23 AM
OTTAWA
— Canada's highest court says search warrants should only be sealed from the
public when releasing the information would clearly threaten the judicial
process.
The 9-0 ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada is a victory for press freedom and the public's right to know.
It means the Crown and police must do more than simply argue that publicity would hamper their investigations.
The top court says sealing orders must pass the same stringent tests that are used to keep court proceedings as open as possible, and this is true even in the early stages of an investigation before charges are laid.
The ruling stems from attempts by the Ontario Provincial Police to seal search warrants used in the investigation of a tainted meat scandal.
The case centred on Aylmer Meat Packers in southwestern Ontario which has denied putting deadstock into the human food chain.
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