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In Postmedia’s case, DND subsequently confirmed that there had been minor problems with welds on the Arctic ships. In the case of the Globe, Irving confirmed that it had received the approximately $40 million industrial benefit credit for the french fry plant.

The Liberal government has faced criticism from opposition MPs for its close links to Atlantic Canada’s powerful Irving family. The federal privacy commissioner recently found the government broke privacy rules by revealing to Irving the identity of the Postmedia reporter. But in an interview with the CBC’s Power and Politics on Tuesday, Qualtrough said she didn’t think the government’s relationship with the Irvings was “too close.”

The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development says it has a contract with Irving that requires the department to alert the firm when journalists are asking questions related to the company. The department will not say how many times it has done that.

In 2016 Procurement Canada also tipped off an Irving representative that Postmedia was asking questions about the $65 billion Canadian Surface Combatant program. Irving is to build those warships for the federal government.

Irving spokesman Sean Lewis has said that while the firms respects the work of journalists, in the case of the Globe and Postmedia the company threatened legal action because those news organizations “had highly inaccurate information that would cause our company, and the reputation of our hardworking employees, considerable reputational damage.”

Postmedia’s questions about the welds on the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships prompted much concern within Procurement Canada, according to the documents obtained under the Access to Information law. The records indicate that McCoy “got a lot of calls on this from ADMs and DMs” on the issue, a reference to deputy ministers and assistant deputy ministers. The Privy Council Office was also notified that Irving was in contact with Postmedia, according to the records.

• Email: dpugliese@postmedia.com | Twitter: davidpugliese