The Opposition is calling for an inquiry into the apparent failure of the systems in place to protect young people from two alleged sexual predators.
Bruce Escott and Tony Humby are facing dozens of charges related to alleged offences dating to a period between 1995 and 2022.
The pair are accused of teaming up to lure and abuse victims in their homes in an east-end trailer park.
Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham stood in the house during Question Period, calling on the Premier to “do the right thing” and call a public inquiry.
Justice Minister Bernard Davis is not closing the door to a public inquiry, but says now is not the time.
Wakeham says he is not interested in jeopardizing the legal process but says questions need to be answered that can’t be addressed by the Child and Youth Advocate, who is conducting her own review of the matter.
Wakeham says he’s heard from current and former RNC officers who have told him that “this investigation needs to happen. Mr. Humby was investigated nine times between 2007 and 2021 but was never charged until last year. The Child and Youth Advocate review will never get to the bottom of the fundamental justice question ‘How did this (alleged) abuse happen n the care of the province for so long?’”
The justice minister says he’s not disagreeing, but as the criminal investigation continues, they have to wait until that process is complete. “We’re not saying no to a public inquiry on this side of the House,” says Davis. “When that investigation is complete, we’ll look at what the results are, and then we’ll go from there.”
