D
dan e 1980
Guest
Harris wanted 'Indians out'
Former attorney general recalls premier's order
Nov. 28, 2005. 02:23 PM
PETER EDWARDS
STAFF REPORTER
FOREST, Ont. – Only hours before native activist Anthony (Dudley) George was shot dead, a government meeting was stunned silent when former premier Mike Harris angrily told senior Cabinet Ministers and two police officers, "I want the f------ Indians out of the park," a public inquiry heard today.
The bombshell came on the second day of testimony by former attorney general Charles Harnick at the public inquiry into George’s death on the night of Sept. 6, 1995 in a massive police operation at Ipperwash Provincial Park.
Stoney Point Natives occupied the park on Sept. 4, 1995, saying they were protecting sacred burial grounds. Their claims were later upheld by documents released by the federal government.
"The Premier, in a loud voice, said, 'I want the f------ Indians out of the park,'" Harnick testified today before Mr. Justice Sidney Linden.
Harnick said he was stunned by the comment, and that Harris’ demeanour quickly changed during the meeting in the premier’s private dining room shortly after noon on Sept. 6, 1995.
The meeting was also attended by former solicitor-general Robert Runciman, former minister of natural resources Chris Hodgson, senior members of their staffs and civil servants, Harnick said.
In his cross-examination of Harnick, Harris’s lawyer Peter Downard said his client will deny using those words when he is called to testify in January, Canadian Press reports.
“You are the first to say that the inappropriate statement was made, does that give you any pause?†Downard said in challenging Harnick’s testimony.
Harnick responded by saying “I heard what I heard.â€
After his obscene reference, Harris seemed to realize that he had said something inappropriate, and that it would be impossible to remove natives from the park anyway, Harnick testified.
“I believe he knew what he said was wrong,†Harnick said.
“Did you hear anything else to do with guns, as far as getting the f------ Indians out of the park,†asked commission lawyer Don Worme, himself a Cree Native from Saskatchewan.
“Absolutely not,†Harnick testified.
The meeting ended with Harris agreeing that an injunction should be sought to have the park occupation declared illegal, Harnick testified.
He earlier testified that it’s “absolutely absurd†to suggest he received instructions from Harris to remove native occupiers within 24 hours from Ipperwash Provincial Park on the day George was killed.
That testimony sharply contrasted with sworn testimony earlier this month from his former deputy minister, Larry Taman, who told the inquiry that Harris instructed Harnick on the morning of Sept. 6, 1995 to have the natives removed within 24 hours.
The extent to which Harris interfered with the police handling of the standoff is the key issue at the judicial probe into George’s death.
Police witnesses have told the inquiry that the force did not buckle to political pressure to remove the protesters.
Harnick supports that claim, CP reported today.
“I’m sure (the meeting) had no influence in terms of actions the OPP may have taken,†said Harnick, who added he was unaware police were present at the meeting.
During a break in the inquiry, George family lawyer Murray Klippenstein said if Harnick’s recollection of events was true it was a sad day for Canada.
“If this evidence is trustworthy, it looks like a contemptuous comment from the head of the province that is an attack on Indian people,†he said. “It’s a sad day.â€
Sam George, the victim’s brother, said Harnick’s words were shocking and gave him “goosebumps.â€
Harnick’s testimony continues.
With files from Canadian Press
_______________________________________________
why o why did ontario ever elect this man?
Former attorney general recalls premier's order
Nov. 28, 2005. 02:23 PM
PETER EDWARDS
STAFF REPORTER
FOREST, Ont. – Only hours before native activist Anthony (Dudley) George was shot dead, a government meeting was stunned silent when former premier Mike Harris angrily told senior Cabinet Ministers and two police officers, "I want the f------ Indians out of the park," a public inquiry heard today.
The bombshell came on the second day of testimony by former attorney general Charles Harnick at the public inquiry into George’s death on the night of Sept. 6, 1995 in a massive police operation at Ipperwash Provincial Park.
Stoney Point Natives occupied the park on Sept. 4, 1995, saying they were protecting sacred burial grounds. Their claims were later upheld by documents released by the federal government.
"The Premier, in a loud voice, said, 'I want the f------ Indians out of the park,'" Harnick testified today before Mr. Justice Sidney Linden.
Harnick said he was stunned by the comment, and that Harris’ demeanour quickly changed during the meeting in the premier’s private dining room shortly after noon on Sept. 6, 1995.
The meeting was also attended by former solicitor-general Robert Runciman, former minister of natural resources Chris Hodgson, senior members of their staffs and civil servants, Harnick said.
In his cross-examination of Harnick, Harris’s lawyer Peter Downard said his client will deny using those words when he is called to testify in January, Canadian Press reports.
“You are the first to say that the inappropriate statement was made, does that give you any pause?†Downard said in challenging Harnick’s testimony.
Harnick responded by saying “I heard what I heard.â€
After his obscene reference, Harris seemed to realize that he had said something inappropriate, and that it would be impossible to remove natives from the park anyway, Harnick testified.
“I believe he knew what he said was wrong,†Harnick said.
“Did you hear anything else to do with guns, as far as getting the f------ Indians out of the park,†asked commission lawyer Don Worme, himself a Cree Native from Saskatchewan.
“Absolutely not,†Harnick testified.
The meeting ended with Harris agreeing that an injunction should be sought to have the park occupation declared illegal, Harnick testified.
He earlier testified that it’s “absolutely absurd†to suggest he received instructions from Harris to remove native occupiers within 24 hours from Ipperwash Provincial Park on the day George was killed.
That testimony sharply contrasted with sworn testimony earlier this month from his former deputy minister, Larry Taman, who told the inquiry that Harris instructed Harnick on the morning of Sept. 6, 1995 to have the natives removed within 24 hours.
The extent to which Harris interfered with the police handling of the standoff is the key issue at the judicial probe into George’s death.
Police witnesses have told the inquiry that the force did not buckle to political pressure to remove the protesters.
Harnick supports that claim, CP reported today.
“I’m sure (the meeting) had no influence in terms of actions the OPP may have taken,†said Harnick, who added he was unaware police were present at the meeting.
During a break in the inquiry, George family lawyer Murray Klippenstein said if Harnick’s recollection of events was true it was a sad day for Canada.
“If this evidence is trustworthy, it looks like a contemptuous comment from the head of the province that is an attack on Indian people,†he said. “It’s a sad day.â€
Sam George, the victim’s brother, said Harnick’s words were shocking and gave him “goosebumps.â€
Harnick’s testimony continues.
With files from Canadian Press
_______________________________________________
why o why did ontario ever elect this man?