As Privacy Commissioner, Radwanski was outspoken in his criticism of increased surveillance by the state in the wake of the 9-11 attacks early in his tenure and the subsequent "War on Terror".
In his annual report in the months following 9-11, he asserted: Radwanski successfully campaigned against and brought an end to major federal government intrusions on privacy rights, including provisions of Bill C-36 that would have undermined the Privacy Act; the opening of letter mail by Customs agents; and the creation of a comprehensive, all-purpose seven-year Canada Customs and Revenue Agency data base on the foreign travel activities of all Canadians.
He also oversaw the smooth implementation of the new federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, that came into effect beginning in 2001.
An investigation by the parliamentary committee charged that he racked up $500,000 in travel and hospitality expenses and misled the House of Commons of Canada over lax spending practices in his office.
On November 6, 2003, Radwanski apologized to Parliament "without reservation" for showing lack of respect, and expressed remorse for "errors in judgment with regard to administrative and financial matters" during his tenure.
On March 15, 2006 he was charged with fraud and breach of trust following a 26-month-long Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation into his expense claims while a public servant that was prompted by the Auditor General's report.