October 11, 2006
PREMIER ANNOUNCES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF PHOENIX SINCLAIR
BRANDON—Premier Gary Doer announced today that a formal commission of inquiry under the authority of the Manitoba Evidence Act will be ordered by cabinet into circumstances surrounding the death of Phoenix Sinclair and the handling of that case by the child welfare system.
“I have always kept an open mind on the possibility of a public inquiry,” said Doer.
“The public has a right to know how a child could go missing for nine months without it being noticed and it is my hope that a commission of inquiry will enable us to learn from issues arising from this matter and provide us with any direction needed to ensure it does not happen again.”
The province will call the inquiry and name a commissioner and terms of reference based on legal advice so as not to jeopardize criminal proceedings on charges of alleged murder.
The premier is here and in Deloraine today and noted that he would be available later in the day to comment further on this matter.