Politician: Minister Sinclair Stevens, Canada

Government
Public Inquiry

Taking advantage of one’s position?

It was 1972 when I caught the end of a Royal Commission, now in 1986 the beginning. The Parker Commission was established to address the activities of a federal cabinet minister, Sinclair Stevens, who had been alleged to have violated the government’s conflict of interest guidelines. For me, while an honour to be retained, it was neither the public profile nor the press but the incredible speed demanded by the process to meet the start date. No cottage approach here! Television, drama, late nights, constant new findings from documents and interviews, ongoing presentation issues, computer resources but most important, patient and calm Commission Counsel who all handled the pressure, professionally. For me, a unique live process, an incredible investigative experience and an exercise in high profile happening all at once.

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