Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 24, 1981, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg free press wednesday june 9 tory my says tip alerted Thomson to 1978 raid by Michael Doyle Winnipeg free press Ottawa a teak 09 an investigation enabled the Thomson organization to remove files just before 21 of its newspaper offices across the country were raided in july 1978, an opposition my said yesterday in the House of commons. Bob Corbel the progressive conservative who made the charge refused to disclose his source saving Only that it was confidential and Brian Slaight general manager of Thomson newspapers Ltd., said from Toronto that some Thomson newspapers were visited by investigators in 1978 but there was no Advance notice. Andre Ouellet consumer and corporate affairs minister declined to com nation ment on Corbett s statements saying the matter is before the courts. He apparently confused Corbett s question with the Thomson Southam Case. Case Thomson newspapers Ltd. And Southam inc. Were charged last month in connection with the Clos ing last year of the Winnipeg Tribune and the Ottawa journal. The charges of conspiracy to limit Competition were also related to newspaper ownership changes in Vancouver and Montreal. Ouellet also rejected questions Over whether the alleged leak had anything to do with the removal of Robert Bertrand As chief of combines investigations. Corbett my for the new Bruns Wick constituency of Fundy Royal said ramp started investigating the alleged leak Only Days before Bertrand was removed from his Post in May. Ouellet reiterated government state ments that Bertrand. Was agreeable to his recent Transfer from the con Sumer affairs department to head the anti dumping tribunal. Corbett said that in the 1978 incident a search warrant covering the 21 news papers was issued july 19, 1978. The offices were raided july Between those dates the leak occurred allowing files in the offices to be laundered he said. There was a serious leak from the department that indicated to the Thom son group that the raid was to take place enabling their officials to re move various documents across Cana Corbett said we have Strong evidence which indicates that there was a serious leak from within the minister s department and possibly a subsequent cover up Days after which or Bertrand. Was removed from his Job by the govern Corbett said. Corbett said later he does not know whether any charges were Laid As a result of the raids on newspapers in on Tario Saskatchewan and British co Lumbia. Nor does he care he said. Slaight said no charges against Thomson newspapers. Ltd. Resulted from the 1978 raid. A spokesman for the consumer and corporate affairs department said All investigations Are kept secret until they Bear fruit. Thomson newspapers Ltd. Owns the fret press and 39 other newspapers in Canada. It did not own the free press in 1978. The 21 raided newspapers Are Small dailies scattered across the country which made up the Chain prior to Thomson s january 1980, takeover of various newspapers then owned by up publication Ltd., including the free press and the Toronto Globe and mail. Corbett said the ramp investigation into the leak had been ordered by Justice minister Jean Chretien. Ouellet told the commons that the opposition was using the question period to make false allegations Al though he did not specifically Jabel Corbett s allegations As false. Any comment Alcan s award winning exhibit from the chamber of Commerce business show is at the red River exhibition now through saturday june 27. Come see us and find out about the aluminium process and aluminium products. We will be on hand to answer your questions about Alcan and the Manitoba project. Come visit us at the sex Winnipeg Arena. Csc strikers to resume talks Toronto up striking Csc technicians have submitted a new proposal to the corporation and talks will resume today spokesmen for both sides said yesterday Csc spokesman Cec Smith said negotiators for the corporation and the National association of broadcast employees and technicians returned to the bargaining table yesterday afternoon for the first time since talks broke Down june 15. The Union presented the management negotiating team with a new Smith said. The management team is Stu dying the proposal and talks will resume a Mitzi declined to give details of the Union s proposal. V2 Price summer programs re6. Price it Price master instructor Sam Soo Ham invites men. Women and children to take advantage of this unique offer. Learn self defense physical fitness weight control and flexibility. Present this and for discount offer june 30th year Han s Tae Kwon do Centre 3rd fir. 358 Donald pm. 956-0364 1 1 ii 1c. Y out on y Sale last thank you Winnipeg the management and staff wish to thank All our customers and friends whom Over the past 70 years have made Mitchell Cupp the Success that it is. We wish to invite you to our Beautiful new store on the main floor of Eaton place. We value our customers and look Forward to serving you with the same integrity tradition and friendliness As in the past. visit us next week main floor Eaton place Liam Oil 942-5108 ;