March 8, 2018
Canada (Attorney General) v Canada Revenue Agency 2018 NSSC 51

The Crown wanted to seal the application for an order to compel CRA to turn over tax info in a money laundering investigation on an ex parte basis.

The judge fully endorsed the importance of the media and the open courts principle, holding the media is entitled to notice of any such application, with the merits to be determined with the benefit of full argument from all.

It also reiterated the burden is on the Crown to justify any confidentiality order and made analogy to Ontario cases on sealing/redactions and how the process can unfold.