After several months of testimony at the Cameron Inquiry, Opposition Justice Critic Kelvin Parsons is pleased that the commission is finally nearing the end of the judicial process with the testimony of Premier Danny Williams.

“There have been many witnesses and stories that have been very heartfelt and informative related to the faulty breast cancer screening in our province,” said Mr. Parsons. “I am pleased that this process has been allowed to proceed without restriction or interference and to look into the causes of this tragedy in our health care system. The testimony of Premier Williams will provide information into who knew what and when. This will hopefully lead to recommendations on how government should communicate in the future with the public on such important issues.

“I want to congratulate Justice Cameron, the staff, and most of all the many patients who listened and participated in this process. At the end of this inquiry, we are hopeful that improvements will be made that will ensure a similar circumstance does not happen again in our health care system.”

Parsons noted that the Commission of Inquiry was not without its controversy and political criticism directed at Justice Cameron. Both the premier and minister of justice have criticized the commission for its costs and timeframes for doing its work. In correspondence obtained under the Access to Information Act, the heated struggle between government and the commission was clearly evident.

“The premier’s testimony next week will certainly be an important aspect of this inquiry. We know the premier was certainly not pleased with some of the logistics and questioning at the commission and this displeasure was evident in correspondence with Justice Cameron. I am hopeful that his testimony on Tuesday will provide some greater insight into his government’s actions, or lack thereof, throughout this process.”

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