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Supreme Court to rule on freedom of the press

Ottawa – On Friday, May 7, 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada will release its decision in The National Post, et al v. Her Majesty the Queen, a case concerning freedom of the press.

The case concerns The National Post’s refusal to provide the RCMP with a document they received from a confidential source. The National Post’s central argument is that their communications with their confidential source, including the document itself, is protected by the Charter, particularly the promise of freedom of the press, and is privileged. The case is of real importance to the freedom of the press, as it concerns the degree of confidentiality the press can promise its sources.

The BCCLA was an intervener in the case and was represented by George K. Macintosh, Q.C. and Tim A. Dickson of Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP. The argument the BCCLA filed in the case is available at here.

What: BCCLA comment on Supreme Court of Canada decision in free press case

When: Decision released Friday, May 7, 2010 at 9:45 (EST). Comment available before and after decision.

Where: The decision will be made available on the Supreme Court of Canada’s website after 9:45 a.m.(EST): http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/

Who: Tim A. Dickson, counsel for the BCCLA, and Grace Pastine, Litigation Director of the BCCLA, will be available for comment at the numbers below.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Tim A. Dickson, Counsel for the BCCLA: (604) 992-2720, [email protected]
Grace Pastine, BCCLA Litigation Director: (778) 241-7183, [email protected]

CIVIL LIBERTIES CAN’T PROTECT THEMSELVES