LONDON (August 30, 1993) - HRC Board of Inquiry chairperson Ajit John accused Fp leader Robert Metz of publishing inaccurate information in his covering letter of an Fp media release (an edited version of the covering letter that went out with the June Freedom Flyer mailing) which was officially introduced and read into the Board of Inquiry's transcripts by Commission counsel Geraldine Sanson. Metz denied that there were any inaccuracies in the letter and challenged John to be specific about what information he regarded as being inaccurate.

At this point there was a long delay while John re-read the three-page letter to himself and then returned his attention to the first paragraph of the letter which, in his opinion, contained the inaccurate information: "Mr. Elieff (has been forced to appear) before an official Board of Inquiry which, unlike a court of law, is less interested in determining his guilt or innocence than it is with 'seeking a remedy' that will satisfy the complainant."

"With all due respect," responded Metz, "I haven't made any disrespectful statements about (this) Board of Inquiry, just general comments about the Human Rights Commission itself, which relate to far more than just this hearing today."

"If you were a lawyer you would be subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Law Society in a proceeding like this," retorted John.

After making it clear to John that he is not a lawyer, Metz asserted: "My opinions of the Ontario government or Bob Rae or the Human Rights Commission or any other government body are mine, and I believe I have the right to express them."

"Yes, you do have," responded John, "I'm not denying that," after which he closed debate on the issue by saying "I don't wish to discuss this issue any further."

The issue was not discussed any further.

e-mail

Page last updated on April 28, 2002