Canadian Information Commissioner warns Tory bill gives government power to cover-up own crimes

‘An unprecedented Conservative bid to rewrite the law in order to retroactively erase the RCMP’s mishandling of gun registry records sets the table for legislated, after-the-fact cover-ups of far more serious crimes, Canada’s information commissioner declared Thursday.

In a damning new report tabled in Parliament, Suzanne Legault concluded that the practice establishes a “perilous precedent” of rewriting laws — one that could jeopardize the ability of authorities to prosecute electoral fraud or other government scandals.

Legault recommended almost two months ago that charges be laid against the RCMP for its role in withholding and destroying gun registry data.

But instead of Justice Minister Peter MacKay moving on the recommendation to lay charges, the Harper government rewrote the law, backdated the changes and buried the amendment in an omnibus budget bill.’

Read more: Canadian Information Commissioner warns Tory bill gives government power to cover-up own crimes