NCJ Number
81947
Date Published
1980
Length
75 pages
Annotation
This report analyzes and recommends changes in the Official Secrets Act and the Freedom of Information Act in Canada that relates to security and criminal justice administration.
Abstract
It contrasts the two pieces of legislation, noting that the Official Secrets Act deals with improper communication of information not already released (referring to espionage and 'leakage' of information), and the Freedom of Information Act deals with the type of government information that must be released on request. It analyzes espionage and 'leakage' issues under the Secrets Act along with penalty provisions and others. It suggests that this act creates an atmosphere of 'unnecessary secrecy.' It is wrong to include offenses dealing with espionage and offenses dealing with unauthorized disclosure of government information in the same statute, since they deal with different kinds of behavior and different levels of threat to the State. The report also recommends reforms in the Freedom of Information Act that deal with disclosure of security and intelligence information. A list of suggestions, a few footnotes, and relevant legislation are included.