Coalition for Action on Child Sexual Abuse in Cornwall

 (The Coalition for Action - generally referenced as “The Coalition”) 

Carson Chisholm Testifies at the Cornwall Public Inquiry

The Coalition for Action was the only group in the Fall of 2005 whose submission for standing and funding at the Cornwall Public Inquiry was rejected by Justice Normand Glaude.  Glaude seemed to have difficulty understanding why the group rallied around Carson Chisholm and had an interest in Perry Dunlop. 

True, Glaude did suggest the Coalition could try again.  Until the summer of 2007 the Coalition had decided once was enough.  However after Carson Chisholm was forced to testify he decided he would try to get standing as an individual.  He was able to get standing only as head of the Coaltion for Action. Thus it was that, at the 11th hour, and after all victim testimony had been heard, the Coalition was granted standing.

The Coalition for Action was formed 17 May 2002 after Father Charles MacDonald successfully claimed his Charter rights to a speedy trial had been violated and the sex abuse charges against him were stayed, which in layman's language means 'he walked.'

Those familiar with Cornwall know that people did indeed rally around Carson Chisholm.  They know that Chisholm was always there fighting the battle supported by a group which grew in numbers as victims came forward and sought support, or as citizens became increasingly aware that Perry Dunlop had become the scapegoat for the alleged paedophiles of Cornwall.

Chisholm personally and at his own expense travelled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to verify allegations that a group of prominent men from the Cornwall area referred to as “the clan” regularly travelled to Fort Lauderdale.  And Carson Chisholm was integrally involved in getting two petitions off to the provincial government, one with 10,000 signatures, the other with 12,000.  I believe the former was the petition supporting Constable Perry Dunlop for taking the sexual abuse allegations against Father Charles MacDonald to the Children’s Aid Society, and the latter the petition asking for an inquiry. 

After the inquiry was announced Chisholm and other Coalition members became actively involved with the Red Flag Committee and the battle to get an out-of-province judge and a new mandate so the inquiry could be and be perceived to be independent and impartial with a mandate worded to ensure that the rumours and allegations which have rocked Cornwall for years could finally be addressed and laid to rest.

  Transcripts of Carson Chisholm testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry: 

12 October 2007

11 October 2007; 

10 October 2007; 

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29 August 2007: Coalition Application for Standing and Funding (the second one)

19 October 2002; Coalition for Action News Release (PDF FILE)

Coalition for Action application for standing (PDF FILE)

14 November 2005:  Email to commission re inaccuracies during applications for standing and funding

The “sunshine” Inquiry?

Letter from Dalton McGuinty to Carson Chisholm

This 17 November 2000 letter was dispatched by Dalton McGuinty, then leader of the opposition, to Mr. Carson Chisholm, Chairperson of Citizens for Bill 103, a precursor to the Coalition for Action.

Note McGuinty’s words:

I call Bill 103 the “sunshine bill” since I believe it will burn off the fog of innuendos and allegations that has been shrouding the Cornwall area and shed light on the truth.  The inquiry will enable us to see justice served and will also clear the names of people who may have nothing to do with sexual abuse.

If the Cornwall Public Inquiry is the now the Premier of the province’s idea of a “sunshine” inquiry I can’t for the life of me see how it will “burn off the fog of innuendos,”  “shed light on the truth,” “see justice served” and/or “clear the names of people who may have nothing to do with sexual abuse.” 

23 August 2007:  “Chisholm chuckles at inquiry accusations”   and “Inquiry has brought abuse back to life for alleged victim” 

28 March 2007: Taking Crime More Seriously (Carson Chisholm email to editor)