The information era

While the RCMP has been called in to investigate a former ministerial staffer, the information commissioner details the filing system at Public Works.

Legault’s intensive probe of the Togneri case uncovered a so-called "purple file" process at Public Works, by which the minister’s political staff reviewed potentially damaging access releases at meetings with the responsible public servants. "This purple file process creates a high-risk environment for potential influence or interference with ATIA release decisions and timely disclosure under the Act," her report found. The report says Public Works has since changed the process so there are no more face-to-face meetings between bureaucrats and minister’s aides. The political staff are no longer allowed to know the category of requester, whether news media or opposition MPs.