FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Support services offered to witnesses at Cornwall Public Inquiry

(Cornwall, ON) Justice G. Normand Glaude, Commissioner of the Cornwall Public Inquiry, today announced the provision of support available to all witnesses called to testify at the Inquiry.

   
The witness support program will provide assistance to increase comfort in testimony and information needed to understand processes and the hearing environment. The support services are available to any witness called to testify during the Inquiry and can be accessed beginning May 9, 2006.

“Witness support is part of an overall approach by the Commissioner and the Inquiry to create the appropriate environment to address the issues within our mandate,” said Colleen Parrish, who will oversee the program as Director of Policy for the Inquiry. “Programs such as our counselling support and now, our witness support, speak directly to our mandate for healing in the Cornwall community.”

Witness support is intended to assist witnesses in a variety of ways by providing them with: orientation to the physical setting of the Inquiry room, explaining what to expect from the hearings process, arranging or providing escort to and from the Inquiry on testimony days, escorting individuals to a private witness room during breaks in testimony, ensuring provisions of refreshments during lunch breaks, among other services.

The structure of the witness support program is based on three key pillars: personal choice, based on which elements of services an individual wants; a demonstration of respect for the public service witnesses provide; and the provision of straight-forward access to professional resources. The Cornwall Public Inquiry has brought on board a trained, bilingual and professional witness support staff member.

Information about the availability of witness support – including Frequently Asked Questions - is posted on the Inquiry website at: www.cornwallinquiry.ca and will also be accessible at the Inquiry. As well, the program details have been provided to all counsel.

Witnesses who are interested in learning more about this program can call the Cornwall Public Inquiry at (613) 938-2461 and leave a number where they can be reached. All calls will be returned by the witness support staff member who will discuss, on a confidential basis, the services that can be accessed.

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For more information:
Marie-Josée Lapointe
(613) 244-5777 – office
(613) 355-3011 - cellular