Canadian Agency Bars Interview With Postmedia Because of Expose

"OTTAWA — The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has declined an interview request with a scientist to discuss the environmental impacts of oilsands development because it objected to a recent Postmedia News report, a federal government spokesman wrote in an email."

"Fisheries and Oceans Canada is one of seven federal departments and agencies under investigation by Parliament’s Information Commissioner, Suzanne Legault, over allegations that the government is 'muzzling' and restricting access to government scientists.

The Postmedia News report, published on Tuesday, quoted an internal memorandum that said the department had 'recently' discovered that in-situ oilsands projects could disturb water sources and harm fish habitat.

Postmedia News also reported in the story that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government introduced changes to environmental laws – one year after receiving the memo – that would allow it to exclude some oilsands projects from reviews."

Mike De Souza reports for Postmedia News May 31, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"Harper Government Eliminated Reviews for Oilsands Projects Following Warnings of Water Disruption" (Postmedia)