Glaude grants coalition funding, not Chisholm

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

13 September 2007

By Terri Saunders

Carson Chisholm's foot is in the door at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.  

As the spokesperson for the Coalition for Action, a group of citizens who act as advocates of victims of child sexual abuse, Chisholm now has standing at the inquiry, although the commission judge made it clear the South Stormont businessman doesn't have standing in his own name.  

Comm. Normand Glaude Wednesday awarded standing to the group but denied Chisholm individual status as a party at the inquiry.

Chisholm is expected to take the witness stand to testify at the inquiry within the next few weeks.  

"His actions, in respect of particular investigations, while relevant, are facts that will be elicited through his testimony as a witness before the commission," said Glaude.  

Glaude said when the group approached the commission to seek standing in November 2005, they did not provide enough information as to who they are and what role they will play at the inquiry. In recent days, they have done so.  

"The (group) has now provided a more detailed list of its members and a more detailed summary of the group's history and mandate," said Glaude.  

"The Coalition for Action's interest in the inquiry lies in large part in the collusion, conspiracy and cover-up issues being examined, issues of concern to Carson Chisholm, Perry Dunlop and Helen Dunlop who had significant involvement in the unfolding of events."  Glaude said he is satisfied the group's participation in the inquiry will contribute to the value of the evidence to be heard.  

"The (group) can also provide insight into the dealings of public institutions with concerned members of the public during relevant periods," said Glaude, "and how public pressure may have affected institutional response."  

Frank Horn, an attorney who is representing the group at the inquiry, said his clients have been at the heart of a movement to bring to light decades of abuse and alleged inadequate institutional response. He said their role is much different than the other community-based group Citizens for Community Renewal.

"They (CCR) were not there when things had to be done," said Horn.  "It was the (coalition) that was there. It was Mr. Chisholm and his group that were there. They were the ones that carried the ball. It was not the CCR. And they're the ones that have more to give to this inquiry than anyone."  

The inquiry will resume Monday at 1 p.m. when it's expected the commission will hear testimony from Perry Dunlop, the former city cop who has been credited with blowing the lid off child sexual abuse in Cornwall and the surrounding area.