Inquiry will wrap by January: Glaude

Commissioner reveals new deadlines set by province

23 October 2008

The final witness will leave the stand at the Cornwall Public Inquiry by January 30, 2009, commissioner Normand Glaude announced this morning.

Glaude said the inquiry's recently amended order-in-council now requires his final report to be delivered no later than July 31 of next year.

"A commissioner is subject to the directions of lawful authorities. Cabinet has directed this inquiry in terms of the timing of the end of testimony, timing of submissions, and timing of the report," said Glaude.

"I intend to do everything I can to meet the timelines established."

Since testimony began in February 2006, the long-running probe into how institutions responded to allegations of historical abuse has heard from 146 witnesses, including victims, police officers, church officials, probation officers, and social workers.

The inquiry has yet to hear from the local school boards, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of the Attorney General.

The OPP's four-year Project Truth investigation into allegations that a pedophile ring existed in Cornwall was one of the key factors that sparked the inquiry.

"This turns our main focus this winter to the consideration of submissions and the writing of the report of the inquiry," said Glaude.

Counselling support under the inquiry's Phase 2 mandate will still continue until 90 days after the release of Glaude's report.