The respondent, a journalist, sought access to search warrants and supporting informations issued by a justice of the peace.
The appellants denied access, arguing the documents were not available for public inspection.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that after a search warrant has been executed, and objects found are brought before a justice, members of the public are entitled to inspect the warrant and the information upon which it was issued.
The Court affirmed the open court principle, ruling that curtailment of public accessibility is justified only where necessary to protect social values of superordinate importance, such as protecting the innocent when a search yields nothing.
