MP Zimmer Concerned With Goodale’s Refusal To Answer Firearms ATIP Request

OTTAWA – Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies and Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, has sent a letter to Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard supporting her decision to refer a case involving Minister Goodale’s repeated refusal to release documents related to the firearms reference table to federal court for review.

“I am deeply concerned that Minister Goodale has continued to refuse to provide the individual who made the ATIP request with this information, especially following the ruling by the Information Commissioner that he do so,” said Mr. Zimmer. “The firearms reference table has been used by the RCMP as the basis for classification and is already widely shared with international law enforcement partners and firearms groups.”

Mr. Zimmer is also concerned with the attempts made by the RCMP to change their reasoning for the refusal during the Information Commissioner’s investigation.

“It is my hope that Minister Goodale will ultimately obey the law and release these documents,” said Mr. Zimmer.

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Mr. Zimmer’s Letter to Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard