Simply because the Minister of Health has the auth

Simply because the Minister of Health has the authority to issue a release in the public interest. She ordered the release to be made public. Her role is not to be concerned with the interests of largely American shareholders but of the Canadian public, therefore, in her opinion, it is in the best interest of the Canadian public to be made aware. It was not a leak, it was a press release. After the February 19th shareholders report, which in the opinion of the Minister misrepresented the intent of their letter of intent to deny, they likely felt compelled to insure there was no misunderstanding. Heads of government agencies in Canada do have the legislated right to take into account the public interest. I have seen it before and it is legal.