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	Shaking the Inquiry Standard-Freeholder [Canada] March 31, 2007 http://www.standard-freeholder.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=469486&catname=Front+Page&classif=Editorials The necessity of the Cornwall Public Inquiry has been debated for years, even before it was officially formed by the provincial government. The argument will certainly continue long after it comes to a conclusion as well. The possibility for the re-victimization of abuse victims or the affect on those accused are cause for concern, while the spiralling costs are far beyond the range of what anyone could have predicted. Still, the inquiry moved ahead with the belief that the abuse that had been covered up for decades would be revealed and the hope that a healing process would follow. Doubleday Canada Limited However, the inquiry suffered its first serious tremors this week as it was discovered that at least two affidavits contained incorrect information. This is a most disturbing development for all those involved, including the community at large. Affidavits are sworn statements that are submitted to support a claim. They are the basis for the inquiry itself and they are made available to the public. The fact that there is incorrect information, therefore, shakes the inquiry to its very core. Comm. Normand Glaude understands the seriousness and has ordered the law firm responsible to review all the affidavits, at their own cost. Good. Claims that the incorrect information is not cause for alarm, fall flat as these statements can ruin lives. These are serious accusations contained in the affidavits and while they can be removed from the inquiry Web site they cannot be erased from the collective memory of those following the proceedings. Now, while it shouldn't happen, the accuracy of all claims can be questioned by opponents of the inquiry. And while some may not agree, the accused have rights whether they have previously been convicted of abuse or not. A false claim is wrong no matter who it is levelled against. In this week's testimony we heard that there were many victims who stepped forward, making it difficult to keep everything in order. Dallas Lee, the lawyer for The Victims Group, even admitted that: "It does not appear that all of these affidavits were reviewed completely and thoroughly." These affidavits require the highest level of thoroughness and that has not happened Peoples lives are at stake here, not just reputations. This must be rectified immediately before more damage is done.
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