Tag: Privy Council Office

Intelligence Officials Previously Warned Ottawa About TikTok’s Data-Harvesting Methods: Report

The federal government was allegedly warned by a Canadian intelligence official that the Beijing-linked video-sharing app TikTok was misleading governments and the general public about its data-harvesting methods nearly half a year before Ottawa banned the app from all federal devices, according to an internal briefing note. A document prepared for the government in September…


Privy Council Conducting ‘Behavioural Science’ Research on Canadians Without Disclosing Findings: Report

The Privy Council Office (PCO) has been conducting “behavioural science” research with thousands of Canadians over the past several years but has not been disclosing its findings from the studies in an alleged breach of the Federal Accountability Act, according to a report. Documents obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter through an access to information request reportedly show…


Only a Minority of Canadians Would Support School and Business Closures in Future Pandemic: Government Research

In the event of a future pandemic, only a minority of Canadians would support the reintroduction of school and business closures and nightly curfews as part of public health measures, according to in-house research conducted by the Privy Council Office. The May 2022 report titled “Support for and Adherence to Public Health Measures” was based on…


Most Canadians Unhappy With Canada’s Internet Service Options, Federal Research Shows

Most Canadians are unhappy with both the affordability and reliability of internet service options currently available across the country, with many complaining about the lack of high-speed connectivity in some areas, according to federal research. A report by the Privy Council Office (PCO) and obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter cited research commissioned by the federal government…


Canadians Doubtful Handgun Freeze Will Reduce Crime, Federal Research Finds

Canadians are doubtful that cabinet’s national freeze on handgun imports and new sales will actually reduce crime in the country if handguns used in committing crimes are illegally smuggled into Canada, federal research finds. In-house research by the Privy Council Office (PCO) last fall asked survey respondents about their general views on handguns in Canadian…


Most Canadians Oppose Decriminalizing Narcotics, Says Privy Council Report

Canadians are opposed to the decriminalization of personal possession of cocaine and other narcotics in British Columbia, according to a recent Privy Council Office report. “Though some participants felt decriminalization might represent a positive development a large number were more opposed to the idea,” said the report, titled “Continuous Qualitative Data Collection of Canadians’ Views,”…


Sajjan Aide Emailed Military Ombudsman About Allegations Days After Meeting in 2018

OTTAWA—A newly released email appears to support former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne’s assertion that he told Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about an allegation of sexual misconduct against then-defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance three years ago. The brief email was sent by Zita Astravas, who at the time was Sajjan’s chief of staff, to Walbourne on…


Info Watchdog Raps Privy Council Office for Terminating Access Requests From Public

OTTAWA—The federal information watchdog has chastised the prime minister’s bureaucrats for shutting down several requests from the public without good cause. In a series of decisions made public Tuesday, information commissioner Caroline Maynard reveals the Privy Council Office simply closed four Access to Information requests to avoid missing due dates. In each case, the body…