PC Caucus questions status of promises made after 2008 Goudge Report
On October 1, 2008 Commissioner Stephen Goudge released the Report of the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario.
On October 23, 2008 Bill 115, Coroners Amendment Act, 2009 was introduced by the Minister for Community Safety and Correctional Services.
On December 2, 2008 the Attorney General of Ontario promised to create a review team for “shaken baby” death cases and a committee to consider issues of compensation for families affected by the work of Dr. Charles Smith.
Close to nineteen months later: Bill 115 has received Royal Assent but the section establishing oversight at Ontario’s Corner’s Office has not been proclaimed and the Attorney General has provided the public no answers from either the review team or the compensation committee.
In the meantime, families torn apart by the work of Dr. Charles Smith are forced to continue waiting for accountability and answers.
Today, in the Ontario Legislature justice critics Garfield Dunlop, MPP (Simcoe North) and Ted Chudleigh, MPP (Halton) demanded answers from the McGuinty Liberals. They, and families affected by this tragedy, received no answer.
Quotes
“Dr. Charles Smith’s flawed reports shattered public confidence and tore families apart. It’s shameful the Liberals silence and delay is forcing these families to live in the shadows of their tragedy.”
—Ted Chudleigh, MPP (Halton)
“The Attorney General promised justice. His delay is only adding to the injustice these families have experienced.”
—Ted Chudleigh, MPP (Halton)
“It’s astonishing that eighteen months after promising to improve accountability and transparency within Ontario’s Corner’s Office the Minister hasn’t even created a timeline for oversight.”
—Garfield Dunlop, MPP (Simcoe North)
“The Minister talked a lot but provided no answers so there’s still no oversight at the Corner’s Office and Ontarians’ remain vulnerable to the tragedies of the past. It’s not enough to say we’re working ‘expeditiously’, you actually have to do it.”
—Garfield Dunlop, MPP (Simcoe North)
For further information contact:
Ted Chudleigh, MPP 416-325-5747
Garfield Dunlop, MPP 416-325-3855
