Publication ban lifted on Raitt tape conversation

A Nova Scotia judge has dismissed an injunction against the Halifax Chronicle Herald leaving the paper is free to publish a story about a taped conversation between an aide and federal Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt, pictured at left. The judge also lifted a publication ban on the story.

The Chonicle Herald was prepared to report on the contents of an audio tape, recorded in late January or early February, in which Raitt is said to have made disparaging comments about Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.


The person who made the recording is Jasmine MacDonnell, Raitt's former director of communications. It is believed that MacDonnell accidentally recorded Raitt when Raitt and MacDonnell were candidly assessing the capabilities and qualities of other cabinet ministers, including the prime minister. MacDonnell resigned last week after a binder containing government documents marked "Secret" was left at CTV's Ottawa television studio.

Following the ruling, the Chronicle Herald immediately published the story based on the tape on its website.