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Their names are secret. Most of the responses they issue to the public consist of letters stating they can’t confirm or deny specific government information exists.

Their employer won’t even confirm that a photo was taken of them accepting an award from Canada’s information watchdog, Caroline Maynard

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Meet the mysterious Access to Information team from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the 2019 winners of Information Commissioner Maynard’s annual award and, in her opinion, role models for openness and transparency for the federal bureaucracy.

“This year’s winners are inspiring role models for the Access to Information and Privacy community,” Maynard said in June lauding the CSIS employees. “While CSIS is mandated to protect secrets in order to keep Canada safe, this team has demonstrated their commitment to transparency and is deserving of this award.”

A 30-minute event was held in June at CSIS headquarters in Ottawa where Maynard presented the award to the spy agency’s employees, according to newly released documents obtained using the Access to Information law.