From: "Johnson,Mark [NCR]" <Mark.Johnson@ec.gc.ca> Date: November 20, 2012 1:20:44 PM PST To: "Margaret Munro" <m-munro@shaw.

ca> Cc: "Sweet,Adam [NCR]" <Adam.Sweet@ec.gc.ca>, "Dodds,Karen [NCR]" <Karen.Dodds@ec.gc.ca> Subject: RE: Comment on David Tarasick documentation/AAAS unmuzzling session

Good afternoon, Margaret. Thank you for your request. Please find below Environment Canadas responses to your questions. Q1) The documents include briefing notes prepared for Karen Dodds in late 2011 that describe the media interview policy at Environment Canada. Has the policy changed in the last year? No. Q2) Re. David Tarasick Interviews - The briefing notes say the department recommended to the Ministers office that this interview take place, referring to a request from Postmedia News to speak with Tarasick about the ozone study. The interview was denied, however, a written response to the reporter's questions, authored by Dr. Tarasick, was approved and provided to the reporter." The documents say the requests from CBC and CTV to interview Tarasick were also turned down and reporters were sent written responses to questions. Could Mr. Kent or the department comment on why the interview was turned down and how this fits with Mr. Kent's statements that the government does not muzzle scientists? In 2011, Environment Canada scientists also published 684 peer-reviewed publications and presented their work at more than 300 conferences. Our 2011 completion rate in terms of requested interviews with EC scientists compared with interviews granted is over 90%, and we are proud of that record. Less than 10% of media interview requests could not happen for different reasons, such as spokesperson availability or reporter availability. Sometimes, requests are very general which makes it difficult to have one spokesperson speak to the issue; hence a written response is more appropriate.

Q3) Could Dr. Dodds tell me why she declined to participate in the "unmuzzling" panel at the AAAS? The premise of this panel discussion was inappropriate. Our record is clear. Environment Canada scientists speak to journalists every single day. We are extremely proud of the world-class science produced by Environment Canada. Research by the Departments scientists informs our policy decisions, identifies environmental issues, and helps enforce the laws and regulations that protect Canadas environment. Q4) Why did Dr. Dodds then attend the session without participating? Dr. Dodds attended the AAAS meeting for 1 day. She participated in a number of sessions, including sessions with Steve McLean, David Grimes, and the keynote by Mike Lazaridis. Q5) The documents show it took four days for the department to respond to media requests for comment on issues raised at the AAAS unmuzzling panel. In the end no interviews were given and a letter to the editor by Paul Boothe was sent to the media. Does this example qualify in Environment Canada's books as a failure to respond in a "timely" way, or a success? Environment Canada received two media requests related to the AAAS, both in February 2012. In both cases, the reporters deadlines were met. Q6) And finally, the documents say the department completed 1,200 media interviews in 2011 and also responded in writing to media questions. Does the department have a list of the 1,200 media interviews that Dr. Boothe says took place in 2011? No. Q7) Could EC provide a copy of the list and names of people interviewed in this 1,200 interviews? No such list exists. While numbers of interviews are tracked, a complete list

of interviewers and interviewees is not available. Q8) If this is not available, where does the number come from? This number comes from data gathered both by Environment Canada Media Relations and Environment Canadas Severe Weather Media Access Line. Q9) Could you also provide a list of the media interview requests that were turned down? No such list exists.

Thanks again,

Mark Johnson
Porte-parole | Spokesperson Direction gnrale des communications | Communications Branch Environnement Canada | Environment Canada 10, rue Wellington, 23e tage | 10 Wellington, 23rd Floor Gatineau (Qubec) K1A 0H3 Tl: 819-934-8008 Fax: 819-994-1412 Mark.Johnson@ec.gc.ca Gouvernement du Canada | Government of Canada Site Web | Website www.ec.gc.ca Suivez-nous sur Twitter - @environnementca Follow us on Twitter - @environmentca

From: Margaret Munro [mailto:m-munro@shaw.ca] Sent: November 20, 2012 12:11 PM To: Sweet,Adam [NCR]; Dodds,Karen [NCR]; Johnson,Mark [NCR] Subject: Comment on David Tarasick documentation/AAAS unmuzzling session

Hello, As you are likely aware EC's ATI office has released

documents re media access to David Tarasick last October, as well as the documents compiled in response to the "unmuzzling" panel at the AAAS meeting in Vancouver in February. I am looking for comment from EC on a few issues and points mentioned in the documents: 1. The documents include briefing notes prepared for Karen Dodds in late 2011 that describe the media interview policy at Environment Canada. Has the policy changes in the last year? 2. Re . David Tarasick Interviews The briefing notes say the department recommended to the Ministers office that this interview take place, referring to a request from Postmedia News to speak with Tarasick about the ozone study. The interview was denied, however, a written response to the reporter's questions, authored by Dr. Tarasick, was approved and provided to the reporter." The documents say the requests from CBC and CTV to interview Tarasick were also turned down and reporters were sent written responses to questions. Could Mr. Kent or the department comment on why the interview was turned down and how this fits with Mr. Kent's statements that the government does not muzzle scientists. 3. Could Dr. Dodds tell me why she declined to participate in the "unmuzzling" panel at the AAAS. Why did she then attend the session without participating? 4. The documents show it took four days for the department to respond to media requests for comment on issues raised at the AAAS unmuzzling panel. In the end no interviews were given and a letter to the editor by Paul Boothe was sent to the media. Does this example qualify in Environment Canada's books as a failure to respond in a "timely" way, or a success? 5. And finally, the documents say the department completed 1,200 media interviews in 2011 and also responded in writing to media questions.

Does the department have a list of the 1,200 media interviews that Dr. Boothe says took place in 2011. Could EC provide a copy of the list and names of people interviewed. If not, where does the number come from. Could you also provide a list of the media interview requests that were turned down. I need to complete and file my story by 5 pm Pacific time today. Appreciate your help, Margaret Munro Margaret Munro Senior Writer, Science POSTMEDIA NEWS t (604) 876-9374 m-munro@shaw.ca http://twitter.com/margaretmunro POSTMEDIA/