Unorthodox rules for Claude Marleau testimony

27 November 2006

CBC Radio

The Archdiocese of Cornwall-Alexandria has won a temporary ban to keep the name of a priest out of media stories at the inquiry.

The inquiry is looking into historical allegations of sexual abuse in the Cornwall and at how public institutions responded.

Yesterday, commissioner Normand Glaude dismissed a motion that would prohibit the use of the priests name, but he did offer a temporary injunction until a higher court rules on the issue.

The CBC’s Mark Blackburn explains.
Diocese lawyer David Sherriff-Scott was ready when Commissioner Normand Glaude dismissed his motion.

“I HAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO SEEK A REVIEW AND I WOULD ACCORDINGLY ASK FOR A STAY IN THE FORM OF A PUBLICATION BAN PENDING ON DISPOSITION OF THAT REVIEW”

With the Diocese asserting its right to ask a court to review Glaude’s decision, the commissioner set up a rather unorthodox set of rules for the rest of the week.

The next witness for the inquiry is Claude Marleau, a man who once testified that he was passed around like a beer by priests.

Now, anytime Marleau’s testimony touches on the priest in question, anyone not in the commission room will be cut off.

“THERE WOULD BE A BAN ON PUBLICATION OF ONLY THAT EVIDENCE THAT DEALS WITH THE MOVING PARTY OR THE IDENTIFIERS OF THE MOVING PARTY THE INDIVIDUAL IN QUESTION ALRIGHT ”

Glaude IS ordering that Marleau’s testimony be taped — and depending on how the divisional court rules, could be played back and reported on by the media at a later date.

That may be weeks down the road.

So whle the Diocese lost its motion for a publication ban — it still managed to have all reference to one of its priests removed from the public inquiry for now.

mark blackburn cbc news cornwall