28 October 2006 Sylvia MacEachern's email response to Cornwall Public Inquiry commission counsel Simon Ruel's email of the 27th of October '06 (Ruel response of 30 October 2006)

Thank you Mr. Ruel.

I understand that the logistics of retaining "Confidentiality" throughout
this public inquiry have become a legal challenge and priority, but I fail to understand how we have come to a point where documents which are not confidential have essentially been slapped with a publication ban.

As it stands it seems to me that the public's right to know and the need to ensure transparency at a public inquiry have been relegated a back seat.

There is obviously something about the process which I don't understand. Therefore I have six quick questions which I trust you can assist me with in the midst of your busy schedule.

(1) I don't understand how Andre Lavoie's Victim Impact Statement is part of a "larger document." When you say "the Statement is technically part of a larger document" do I correctly interpret that to mean that the VIS is one document/file of a larger number of documents/files which collectively constitute an exhibit, in this case Exhibit C-93?

(2) If yes to the above approximately how many files/documents comprise Exhibit C-93?

(3  If there are a number of files/documents in the one exhibit why in a
public inquiry are they classified as "Confidential" collectively rather
than individually?

(4) When did Justice Glaude classify Exhibit C-93 "Confidential"?

(5) Does Justice Glaude personally review the material which he classifies as "Confidential"?

(6) Why are documents which have been classified "Confidential" through a technicality but which rightly belong in the public domain not declassified before they are entered into evidence when a witness takes the stand?

(7) If a specific request is not made to declassify a document which rightly belongs in the public domain in a public inquiry does it remain "Classified"?

Thank you for your time on these important matters.

I await word in the very near future that Mr. Lavoie's VIS has been made public and can be re-posted on theinquiry.ca.

Yours truly,


(Mrs.) Sylvia MacEachern