Supreme Court Upholds Ontario's Right to Withhold Premier's Mandate Letters as Cabinet Confidences, Despite Transparency Concerns
-
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously that Ontario does not have to disclose Premier Doug Ford's mandate letters, upholding their exemption under cabinet confidentiality.
-
The court found the letters reveal details of cabinet deliberations, even if policies are not ultimately implemented, so they can be kept secret.
-
The decision expands the scope of what government records can be withheld from the public on the grounds of cabinet confidentiality.
-
Open government advocates argued the ruling undermines transparency, accountability, and democracy by enabling governments to hide more information.
-
Opposition parties criticized the cost and effort spent appealing to keep the letters secret, calling on the government to be more transparent despite the legal victory.