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	Slimser Writes to Project Truth Inquiry Ottawa Sun [Canada] March 28, 2007 http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/BreakingNews/2007/03/28/3853704.html Cornwall — A man who walked out in the middle of cross-examination at an inquiry has written a letter to the judge heading the probe into the institutional response to allegations of systemic sexual abuse in the Cornwall area. David Silmser's letter, addressed to Commissioner Normand Glaude, was received at the commission's office on Monday, Peter Engelmann, lead counsel for the inquiry, said Tuesday. Silmser testified earlier this year about the sexual abuse he says he suffered at the hands of a priest, a teacher and a probation officer when he was a teenager in the 1960s and 1970s. The letter has been forwarded to counsel representing the various parties with standing at the inquiry, but has not been handed over to the commissioner. Glaude said he must only review documents entered as part of evidence at the inquiry and until the letter is made a part of proceedings he will not read it. Silmser left the inquiry in February after a doctor determined he was emotionally incapable of continuing testimony. This week, parties were expected to begin debating what to do with Silmser's unfinished evidence, including whether or not cross-examination could be achieved without requiring Silmser to return to the witness stand. A man who claims he was sexually assaulted by a teacher 40 years ago told the inquiry Tuesday the abuse changed his life forever. Marc Latour said he suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Gilf Greggain, a man who was his Grade 3 teacher in the late 1960s. "He took away my dreams; my future," said Latour. "I've been through things I wouldn't have been through if it wasn't for him." Greggain has never been charged with any criminal offence involving Latour and has not attended the inquiry since Latour began testifying. Latour, 48, said he was eight years old when he was repeatedly abused by Greggain and has had difficulties completing his education. "I started drinking just to help me get through what's happened to me," Latour told the inquiry. "I kind of used drinking as a medicine." He said for years one of the things he had a hard time dealing with was something Greggain had told him during the course of the abuse. Latour said when he threatened to tell his parents about the abuse, the teacher said Labour's mother had given him permission to punish the boy in that fashion and that if he said anything to his father about it, the teacher would kill his father. "I was convinced my mother gave him permission (and) I hated her; I hated her until she died," said Latour. "The only reason I'm here (at the inquiry) is the memory of my mom." Latour told the inquiry about a meeting between himself, his mother and the principal during which he says he was assured the abuse would end. But Latour has been told by counsel representing the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario that the principal of the school at the time the alleged abuse occurred has no recollection of ever receiving a complaint from Latour or his parents. Latour said he wasn't shocked when he found out charges would not be laid against his alleged abuser. "I knew in my head what the (decision) was," Latour said. "No charges would be laid."
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