August 17–18 Toronto In two articles […]
When
1977-08-17 – 1977-08-18
Description
August 17–18 Toronto In two articles concerning personal, confidential files on prominent politicians being kept by the RCMP, Lawrence Martin of the Globe and Mail uncovered evidence that the RCMP was still collecting files on homosexuals in the public service, which were classified under "character weakness." The RCMP also admitted that it used homosexuals as paid informants. The NGRC immediately issued a press release and a letter to the RCMP and Solicitor General Francis Fox, calling on the federal government and the RCMP to stop the practice of keeping files on gay people. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represented most of Canada's civil servants, later presented a brief to the federal government criticizing its approach to homosexuality and security clearances: "There is no evidence that homosexuals, any more than heterosexuals, are likely to reveal state secrets as a result of seduction or blackmail."
All Events
October 18 Ottawa The Commission of […]August 3 Ottawa In a letter to the […]All Places
TorontoAll People
Francis FoxLawrence MartinAll Organizations
Public Service Alliance of CanadaNational Gay Rights Coalition Coalition nationale pour les droits des homosexuels NGRC CNDH, Canadian Lesbian and Gay Rights Coalition / Coalition canadienne pour les droits des lesbiennes et des gais (CLGRC / CCDLG)Dominion Police, North-West Mounted Police, Royal Northwest Mounted Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMPAll Periodicals
The Globe and Mail, The Globe MagazineAll Citations
"Union Attacks Gov't on Security Clearances," Body Politic, no. 38 (1977), p. 21."RCMP Still Keeping Files on Gays," Body Politic, no. 37 (1977), p. 4Lawrence Martin, "RCMP Confirms Use of Taps on Politicians, VIPs," Globe and Mail, metro ed., 18 August 1977, p. 4Lawrence Martin, "Gay Group Claims RCMP Is Unfair to Homosexuals," Globe and Mail, metro ed., 23 August 1977, p. 4Lawrence Martin, "Coded RCMP Files Include VIP's Bedroom Chat," Globe and Mail, metro ed., 17 August 1977, pp. 1–2David Garmaise, "RCMP Spares No One," NGRC Forum, 2, no. 4 (Fall 1977): (3–4)David Garmaise, "RCMP Files on Gays," GO Info, 4, no. 5 (September 1977) : 2
