Were referees informed that the reference materials they provided could be accessible to applicants when this was the case?

Yes. Referees were informed during the reference submission process via notices within the CaRMS Online referee portal. The notices specified that references could be accessible to applicants who submitted an access to information request. These notices have now been updated in light of our revised privacy policy, to inform referees that CaRMS does not share reference materials unless legally required to do so.