SQLFusion - Guzzo recommends inquiry talk to higher ups

Talk to ex-premier, Cornwall inquiry told

Ottawa Citizen

01 December 2007

BY WILLIAM LIN

CORNWALL • Former MPP Garry Guzzo suggested hearing testimony from senior provincial officials could help an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse of youths, after he was asked whether the inquiry should hear from former premier Mike Harris.

“Sir, do you believe it’s important for this inquiry to hear from Mr. Harris?” Dallas Lee, a lawyer who represents about 50 alleged victims, asked during cross-examination.

“I think it might be important to hear from some other people higher up in government than Garry Guzzo between 1995 to 2003,” Mr. Guzzo said, although he did not name specific politicians.

In previous testimony, the former MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean said that when he lobbied Conservative officials about launching an inquiry into the police response to abuse allegations, “a war of words” began between his office and the premier’s.

Cross-examination of Mr. Guzzo — who has given five days of testimony spaced out over three weeks — will continue Monday and Tuesday.