The Scandal Revisited

Yesterday I had the impression that the former prime minister, Jean Chretien, through his lawyers, decided to fight a rear guard action as he was retreating, in fear! If the inquiry could go away or could be forced out of existence, he would be very pleased. The Commission, often referred to as the Gomery Commission has had papers filed claiming that Justice Gomery lacked objectivity because of remarks that he made last month. There can be no doubt that Mr. Chretien would love to see Mr. Gomery step down as head of the enquiry.

Many Canadians want to see the Commission end its enquiry with a report that is believed will be objective and will arrive at valid and just conclusions. The Commission has in its possession government documents that have been edited. To do its job properly, the Commission needs access at this time to documents that are unedited. To have information withheld leads on to believe that there is something to hide. Justice Gomery should be an independent arbiter; his role is to determine what information he needs, and in fact what might be disclosed to the public. I trust him. He may have to have the Federal Court decide what is to be done.

Perhaps I am biased. I have heard much testimony and though I am surprised that so many witnesses have poor recollections of history; they display characteristics of selective memory. Do they lie? Perhaps the unedited original documents will reveal the truth. Justice Gomery needs access to the truth and not be solely guided by the poor memory of so many witnesses. He and all Canadians deserve nothing less.