27 November 2008

Posted By (STAFF) AND TREVOR PRITCHARD 

Det. Insp. Tim Smith expressed anger Wednesday at the impact new provincial deadlines will have on the Cornwall Public Inquiry's Phase 2 mandate to foster healing and reconciliation.

"I'm upset that the government is cutting it short," said Smith, who investigated claims of widespread sexual abuse at boys' schools in Uxbridge, Ont. and Alfred, Ont. before being given the reins of Project Truth in 1997.

The deadlines, introduced in October by the Ministry of the Attorney General with the intention of wrapping up the long-running inquiry, have effectively stopped Phase 2 from approving any new clients for counselling support. Community workshops scheduled for after January 2009 have also been shelved.

In his recommendations to inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude, Smith outlined the lifelong struggles faced by those who were sexually abused at the two boys' schools - including divorces, drugs and alcohol, and suicide.

"A number of them have gone back to substance abuse," said Smith. "A number of them look 20 years older than they actually are. A great number are on social assistance or on disability pensions."

The retired OPP officer then urged Glaude to recommend the province support groups which offer counselling and other forms of assistance to male abuse victims.

"I think that's the least that can be done," he said.

 Smith's recommendations were received warmly by Dallas Lee, attorney for The Victims Group.

"I suggest your comments there may find their way into my final submissions, so I appreciate that," Lee said.