Spotlight On Probations Nearing End At Cornwall Inquiry

February 04, 2008 — The Cornwall Probation and Parole Office is nearing the end of its time in the limelight at the Cornwall Public Inquiry. Before wrapping up the inquiry will hear from a few more witnesses including former area manager Emile Robert. Robert's competency as a manager came into question by others who have testified. This week, Robert will have the chance to defend those allegations. The Cornwall Police Service is the next institution to be questioned with at least 20 witnesses expected to be called including management and officers.

Deputy minister to take stand at Cornwall Public Inquiry

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

04 February 2008

The Ministry of Community and Correctional Services' deputy minister is scheduled to take the stand today at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.

Deborah Newman was also assistant deputy minister when the ministry launched an administrative review in 2000 into the Cornwall Probation and Parole Services office.

That review, conducted by special investigator Paul Downing, was spurred by sexual abuse allegations about a number of former and then-current probation officers that appeared on two controversial websites.

Superiors discouraged investigation

Downing testified in December he was discouraged by his superiors from pursuing a more thorough investigation.

Two other witnesses scheduled to testify this week, Emile Robert and Sue Lariviere, both worked at the Cornwall office.

Robert was area manager in the 1980s and 1990s and was the boss of former probation officer Ken Seguin.

Robert's actions - in particular, the lengths to which he disciplined Seguin after it was revealed Seguin gave a probationer alcohol - were brought into question by former regional manager Roy Hawkins in January.

Seguin was accused of sexually abusing a number of his probationers. He committed suicide in 1993 and was never charged.

Lariviere also worked as a probation officer. She will be returning to the stand after her testimony in January was cut short.