False statements at Project Truth inquiry

Ottawa Sun (Sun Web Extra)

March 29, 2007

By CANADIAN PRESS

CORNWALL — Lawyers say false statements in at least two affidavits filed with an inquiry probing the institutional response to allegations of systemic sexual abuse in the Cornwall area could shatter public confidence in the commission.

“This deals with the credibility of the process,” Peter Wardle, an attorney representing the Citizens for Community Renewal, argued Wednesday.

Earlier this month, a series of sworn affidavits signed by members of The Victims Group were removed from the inquiry’s website.

Commission counsel received information that some of the statements contained in at least two of the documents, prepared by and presented to the inquiry by attorneys from the London, Ont.-based law firm Ledroit Beckett, were incorrect.

In at least one affidavit, an individual suggested he was dissatisfied with the actions of Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese in relation to a civil lawsuit he’d filed. No lawsuit was ever initiated.

Dallas Lee, an attorney from Ledroit Beckett, told the commission Wednesday the affidavits were prepared by clerks in the firm’s office from information gathered through meetings between law firm staff and a number of complainants.

“There is a concern that people will look at these errors as an indication our clients can’t be trusted,” said Lee.

Earlier this month, Robert Renshaw testified at the inquiry about the abuse he says he suffered at the hands of a city priest and a now-deceased probation officer.

During the course of cross-examination by David Sherriff-Scott, an attorney acting for the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese at the inquiry, Renshaw admitted at least one portion of the affidavit filed under his name was false.

One paragraph talks about how Renshaw was “raised in a family of devout Catholics,” and that “as a result of the sexual abuse I (Renshaw) have total loss of my Catholic faith.”

“You can scratch that out,” Renshaw said when asked if the statement was accurate.

Commissioner Normande Glaude has ordered Ledroit Beckett to review all of the affidavits filed with the commission and report on any inaccuracies.

“They must ensure that any shortcomings be brought to my attention,” said Glaude, “and that they’re dealt with at no cost to the taxpayers and no cost to their clients.”

Peter Engelmann, lead counsel for the inquiry, said there’s no belief among commission officials any malice has occurred.

“There’s no suggestion the (affiants) made mistakes about the fact they were victims of abuse or had contact with institutions,” said Engelmann. “It’s unfortunate because this is a very sensitive subject matter and it’s unfortunate when mistakes are made.”

Glaude said when it comes to the work of the inquiry, it’s important that information received be accurate. “Enough is enough. It’s vital we get things right.”

A man who left the inquiry last month before his cross-examination was completed says returning “is not worth the battle.”

David Silmser, who testified he was sexually abused by a city priest, a now-deceased probation officer and a teacher in the 1960s and 1970s, said in a letter to Glaude that he would be “held to ridicule” if he returned.

“They would love to have the opportunity to have me on the stand to rip to shreds the over 15 years and tens of thousands of pages of documentation that has been collected by various police forces, lawyers and government institutions that have been involved with my case,” Silmser said of those waiting to cross-examine him.