LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO
1. ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO
Tuesday 12 April 2005 Mardi 12 avril 2005
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ALLEGED SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS
Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): As the esteemed member 
from Nepean-Carleton [Baird] moves closer to fulfilling his aspirations on the 
federal stage, I was delighted yesterday to see him introduce a private member's 
bill urging the government to create a commission to examine provincial police 
activity during Project Truth investigations in my riding of Stormont-Dundas-
Charlottenburgh. All of this is coming from a member who voted against Bill 48
 in 2001, an act to create an inquiry into police investigation of sexual abuse 
against minors in the Cornwall area. 

It appears that the Ottawa press is more important than political conviction.
I will remind the member from Nepean-Carleton that this government is the 
first government to fully endorse a public inquiry into allegations of childhood 
sexual abuse in the Cornwall area. Premier McGuinty and Attorney General 
Bryant have had the conviction to follow through on this election promise, 
and the residents of Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh are encouraged by this 
support.

The inquiry will happen, and the Attorney General remains fully committed to 
finding an appropriate commissioner and getting the terms of reference right. 
This process is important and it takes time, but the success of the inquiry is 
largely dependent on this.

I want to assure the residents of the Cornwall area that I have been and I 
continue to be a vocal advocate for this cause. This government also remains 
committed to this file, and we have demonstrated more fortitude than any of 
the opposing parties on this issue.