25 October 2008

Posted By DAVID NESSETH

The tighter timelines imposed on the Cornwall Public Inquiry this week will mean the cancellation of nearly half its remaining Phase 2 workshops, the inquiry's policy director said Friday.

Colleen Parrish said three or four of the remaining workshops geared towards Phase 2's mandate of healing and reconciliation are likely to be shelved indefinitely.

"We're going to turn our attention to helping the commissioner (Norman Glaude) with preparing the Phase 2 report," Parrish said. "I've met a lot of amazing people here, and people have had amazing ideas to help this community.

"My job is to deliver on that."

A workshop on vicarious trauma is likely on the chopping block. It was designed to help counsellors and other support workers with the challenges of working in an emotionally-charged environment.

"You're dealing with people who have a lot of pain, and sometimes it can even affect the professionals," Parrish said.

A workshop on dissociation - a state of mental decompensation that results from trauma - is also likely to get the axe.

"Dissociation training is lengthy, so that's one we likely won't be able to do," Parrish said.

The new order-in-council from the Ministry of the Attorney General's Office also means effectively stopping the approval of new clients for counselling support.

Parrish said within the week people can check the Phase 2 section of cornwallinquiry.ca to get the latest changes to programs.

She said her team will work hard to do their best with the little time they have left.

Testimony at the inquiry will be completed by the end of January.

Sure cut the workshop it makes sense they want this all to go away. 

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