COMMISSIONER APPOINTED TO LEAD CORNWALL INQUIRY

For Immediate Release April 18, 2005
TORONTO — The Honourable Justice G. Normand Glaude has been appointed to lead an independent public inquiry into the events surrounding allegations of abuse of young people in Cornwall, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today.

"The Ontario government believes the people of Cornwall deserve a full and independent public inquiry," said Bryant. "With the appointment of Justice Glaude, the people of Cornwall will get the hearing they deserve, and I look forward to receiving his report."

In leading the inquiry, established under the Public Inquiries Act, Justice Glaude has a broad mandate to look into the response of the justice system and other public institutions to the allegations of historical abuse. He will also look into processes, services and programs that would encourage community healing and reconciliation.

"Last November I went to Cornwall, listened to the people and I heard their expectations for a commissioner," said Bryant. "Based on that, I developed four criteria, which Justice Glaude fulfils. He is bilingual, from outside the Cornwall area, experienced in criminal law and has not been previously associated with this matter. Justice Glaude is also respected throughout the bench and the bar and has a reputation for being a highly capable administrator - and extremely approachable."

Justice Glaude has extensive experience as a lawyer, administrator and judge. He practised criminal, family and insurance law for 10 years prior to his appointment to the Ontario Court of Justice. While practising law, he was a founding member of the Pavillion Family Resource Centre for victims of domestic abuse and was a member of the Ontario Police Commission. Justice Glaude was appointed a provincial court judge in 1990, and has served as the regional senior justice for the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury since 2000.

"The appointment of Justice Glaude means my constituents will now receive the public inquiry they have been seeking," said Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh. "I am confident that this inquiry will help us learn from the past and help the people of Cornwall move forward."

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