News Release

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FOREST – The Ontario government welcomed the release of Justice Sidney Linden’s Ipperwash Inquiry Report today and committed to collaborating with Aboriginal partners, the policing community and the federal government to review the report’s findings and its recommendations.

In November 2003, Attorney General Michael Bryant appointed Justice Linden to lead an independent public inquiry into the events surrounding the death of Dudley George in 1995. The government also asked Justice Linden to make recommendations to help avoid violence in similar circumstances.

“I commend Justice Linden and his team for their hard work and dedication in producing this report,” said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “We can now move forward, and work together on the path outlined in this report. In fact, I have designated an Ipperwash response team to focus solely on this important work.”

The Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs will co-ordinate the response to the report’s recommendations for all matters except policing. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will address Justice Linden’s recommendations that relate to policing.

"Justice Linden’s report and its recommendations will help us build on the progress we've already made in improving policing services for First Nations communities," said Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.  "We thank Justice Linden for helping us map a route to healing and for giving us some valuable guidelines for positive change."

Ontario has worked since 2003 to make improvements in a number of areas mentioned in Justice Linden’s report. These include policing, health, education and the relationship between the government and Aboriginal peoples.

“We established Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs based on mutual respect and building a better future for Aboriginal youth,” added Ramsay.  “Justice Linden’s recommendations show we are on the right track.”

Related Information:

• Ontario’s New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs
• Aboriginal Land Claims
• Ontario’s Support for First Nations Policing

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Contacts:

Anne-Marie Flanagan
Minister Ramsay’s Office
(416) 327-0654 / 416-268-3690 (cellular)

Annette Phillips
Minister Kwinter’s Office
416-326-8265 / 647-205-6598 (cellular)

 

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