Ipperwash Inquiry heats up – Tory obscenities spark outrage

For 17 months, the Ipperwash Inquiry has been in session, parading an endless list of witnesses, many of whom have had difficulty recollecting the exact incidents preceding the events that led to the death of Aboriginal activist Dudley George on September 6, 1995; Mike Harris’ former executive assistant Debbie Hutton being the most recent.

But in late November, two former Tory officials went public with the bombshell that then-Premier Mike Harris and then-Natural Resources Minister Chris Hodgson explicitly told tactical meetings on Ipperwash to get “those f***ing Indians” out of the park.

For over a decade former Attorney General Charles Harnick and former deputy Solicitor General Elaine Todres have remained silent on critical evidence that reveals not only deeply-ingrained racism within the previous Tory government, but also confirms that there had never been any intention on the part of Mike Harris or his Ministers to come to peaceful resolution with Ipperwash protesters.

According to Aboriginal Legal Services Lawyer Julian Falconer and his staff, Hutton is alleged to have had 134 memory lapses while testifying, including not remembering Mike Harris’ response to hearing of Dudley George’s death. But even Hutton was clear on what was – or was not – to be done with occupiers.

“I think it is prudent to say, ‘We will not have substantive negotiatons while an occupation is underway’,” Hutton testified on November 22nd.

Hutton also denied any previous knowledge of the validity of the Stoney Point Natives’ claim that Ipperwash Provincial Park was built upon a sacred burial ground, despite evidence that one provincial civil servant had recovered documents supporting the Aboriginal claim as far back as 1975.

“I was told that the province had very clear title to the land,” Hutton testified.

In following the proceedings, Toronto Star columnist Thomas Walkom referred to the government’s actions as simply an “…unsettling combination of incompetence and boneheaded stubbornness.” But a clear picture is emerging of a very deliberate racist, arrogant and secretive attitude among Tory officials which enabled them to bypass the law and due process in favour of provincially-sanctioned terrorism that was kept covered up for almost a decade.

For her loyalty – and one can assume silence – Hutton was rewarded with an appointment as vice-president of Hydro One, a job that carried a paycheque of between $180,000 and $230,000 yearly.

Elaine Todres – while appearing remorseful for her role in the fiasco – claimed that a civil servant’s oath of confidentiality kept her from disclosing a repeat of the slur that she heard then-Natural Resources Minister Chris Hodgson make at the same meeting. Todres went on to place former Solicitor General Rob Runciman in the room as well, implying that he too had remained silent on the issue.

Charles Harnick admitted “‘….loyalty…friendship…and political issues,” influenced his decision not to reveal Harris’ obscenity. Harnick also claimed that he had not revealed these details in the 1996 investigation into Ipperwash because he simply “…wasn’t asked.”

The larger issue behind the Tory racism is how Harris’ and Hodgson’s comments influenced OPP officers who were in attendance at the meeting to take a violent approach in removing the protestors. Both OPP and Tory officials have denied that the government directed the use of force that resulted in the tragic death of Dudley George and beatings of several protestors, all of whom were unarmed during the occupation of the park. However, revelations from the inquiry have brought this stance under fire. Harnick’s former deputy Minister Larry Taman told the inquiry that Harris instructed Harnick on the morning of Sept. 6, 1995 to have the natives removed within 24 hours, an allegation that Harnick refutes.

Kettle and Stoney Point Chief Tom Bressette told the inquiry last spring that a contact in the provincial government phoned him that day, warning that someone in government ordered, “Get those f---ing Indians out of the park even if you have to draw your guns to do it.”

Not surprisingly, Harris’ and Hodgson’s lawyers have already stated that that their clients will deny both making the racial slurs and directly or indirectly influencing OPP officers who were in attendance at the meeting in question. Harris is expected to testify in January.

Despite disclosure from the Federal government supporting the claims of the Stoney Point Natives, the Ipperwash Provincial Park remains closed and in
dispute.