News

OPP didn’t tell me before signing contract with Palantir, ex-minister Yasir Naqvi says

OTTAWA — When the Ontario Provincial Police began using Palantir Technologies’s controversial Gotham database product in 2015, it was an “operational issue” and didn’t cross the desk of the minister responsible for them, said a spokesperson for that minister, Ottawa politician Yasir Naqvi.

The Logic revealed in the fall that the OPP has had a contract with U.S.-based Palantir for its “analytical platform,” after pursuing details through access-to-information law for nearly a year. After publication, the Ontario government supplied one additional detail: the Palantir contract began on June 1, 2015.

Naqvi is now a federal Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary to Bill Blair, the emergency preparedness minister. He’s also contemplating a run for the provincial party leadership.

    Subscribe now to start reading premium, award-winning journalism.

    By entering your e-mail you consent to receiving commercial electronic messages from The Logic Inc. containing news, updates, offers or promotions about The Logic Inc.’s products and services. You can withdraw your consent at anytime. Please refer to our privacy policy or contact us for more details.

    In-depth, agenda-setting reporting

    Great journalism delivered straight to your inbox.

    Briefing

    GM, Posco get millions in government funding for EV battery-materials facility in Bécancour

    Canadians’ spending falling in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary

    Clear Finance said to be biggest SVB Canada debtor as loan book deadline looms

    Best business newsletter in Canada

    Get up to speed in minutes with insights and analysis on the most important stories of the day, every weekday.

    Exclusive events

    See the bigger picture with reporters and industry experts in subscriber-exclusive events.

    Membership in The Logic Council

    Membership provides access to our popular Slack channel, participation in subscriber surveys and invitations to exclusive events with our journalists and special guests.

    Canada's most influential executives and policymakers are reading The Logic

    • CPP Investments
    • Sun Life Financial
    • C100
    • Amazon
    • Telus
    • Mastercard
    • bdc
    • Shopify
    • Rogers
    • RBC
    • General Motors
    • MaRS
    • Government of Canada
    • Uber
    • Loblaw Companies Limited