SCC Decision: October 11, 2007

Named Person v. Vancouver Sun, 2007 SCC 43
Click here to link to the full judgment.
( Informer Privilege / Open Court Principle)
During an in camera extradition hearing, the Named Person informed the judge that he was a confidential police informer, and requested disclosure from the Attorney General.  In the proceedings that followed, the judge asked various lawyers for media groups to attend.  Some of the lawyers asked for permission to review certain court documents.  The extradition judge allowed this request.  The Supreme Court overturned that decision, finding that police informer privilege was almost absolute, and that there is a complete and total bar on any disclosure of the informant's identity.
Majority/Dissent: 8/1