Subsection 486 ( 1 ) of the '' Criminal Code '' states : " Any proceedings against an accused shall be held in open court , but where the presiding judge , provincial court judge or justice , as the case may be , is of the opinion that it is in the interest of public morals , the maintenance of order or the proper administration of justice to exclude all or any members of the public from the court room for all or part of the proceedings , he may so order . " In 2004 , the '' Vancouver Sun '' newspaper successfully argued that certain court proceedings in relation to the Air India terrorist attack should be open to the public . Section 83.28 of the '' Criminal Code '' allows the exclusion of the public and media from certain court proceedings in relation to terrorism offences
Air India terrorist attack
Air India Flight 182
Open court principle