A reporter who tried to file a Freedom of Information request for documents related to the Algo Centre Mall at Elliot Lake City Hall on Friday was told to leave the building immediately.
When Global News reporter Jennifer Tryon asked why, staff at the city hall in northeast Ontario called the police.
“Tried to file an Freedom of Information request at #Elliot Lake city hall, was told “leave immediately,”" Ms. Tryon wrote on Twitter. “I asked why, they called the OPP.”
City clerks felt “somewhat intimidated by the insistent nature of the request being made,” Ontario Provincial Police Constable Marc Despatie told the National Post.
“They decided to call the police and we’re duty-bound to respond.”
Shortly after the incident, the city of Elliot Lake issued a two-line statement that said any documents related to Algo Centre Mall “are now part of ongoing investigations.”
“The City is providing these documents to investigators,” the statement said.
Even though documents related to the mall investigation have been turned over to the OPP, members of the public can still make Freedom of Information requests, Const. Despatie said.
Const. Despatie, who responded to the incident, said he explained to one of the clerks the situation didn’t necessarily warrant an emergency call to police.
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