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Former Ontario premier Mike Harris speaks to the media in Forest, Ontario. Former Ontario premier Mike Harris smiles as he testifies for his final day before the Ipperwash Inquiry in Forest, Ontario on Monday.

Mike Harris denies making unilateral decisions

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CTV Toronto: Paul Bliss covers Harris's testimony
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CTV Toronto: Paul Bliss reports in Forest, Ontario
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Date: Mon. Feb. 20 2006 11:34 PM ET

Former Ontario premier Mike Harris vehemently rejected allegations that he made decisions on the Ipperwash standoff without government input on the final day of his testimony at the inquiry into the shooting of a native protester.

Harris was heckled by protesters who shouted "shame" and "you've got blood on your hands," as he left the building where the inquiry is being held.

But he appeared undaunted as he told reporters he was happy to have participated in the fact-finding process.

"I was pleased to be part of the process," Harris said. "I appreciated the opportunity to give testimony as to my side and our government's side of the events."

Monday saw some of the most heated exchanges during Harris' four days of testimony.

As testimony got underway Monday, lawyer Julian Falconer, who represents Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto, asked Harris if he would have changed any of his actions between Sept. 4-6, 1995.

"I don't believe so," Harris replied today.

Spectators gasped when Falconer said Harris and his executive assistant, and not the provincial government, had made the decision to seek a speedy injunction to end the occupation.

"I'm going to put it to you, sir, that the 'government' was Mike Harris and Deb Hutton," Falconer said.

"I think I can recall quite a few other members of the government," Harris replied coolly. "I can go through the list if you like."

Onlookers cheered when Falconer suggested Harris had lied in not admitting for years that a private government meeting was held the day native protester Dudley George was killed by a police sniper.

"I am saying you lied, sir," Falconer said.

"Well, I hear you saying that, but you saying that doesn't make it so," Harris replied.

On Sept. 4, 1995, Indians occupied Ipperwash Provincial Park on the argument that it contained sacred burial grounds. George was shot two days later, when police began to move on demonstrators.

A key issue at the judicial probe has been to what extent Harris directed the police response to the occupation of Ipperwash Provincial Park.

Harris' critics say he put pressure on police to end the conflict quickly and that his memory has been selective.

The most stunning allegation levelled against Harris since the inquiry began 20 months ago was made by former attorney general Charles Harnick.

In November, Harnick said that at a government meeting held just hours before George was killed, he heard Harris yelling that he wanted "the fucking Indians out of the park."

During three days of testimony last week, Harris emphatically denied that he uttered the obscene slur.

On Thursday, he also denied charges that his government pressured police to end the conflict.

"I rejected that totally," Harris said. "I don't consider seeking an injunction taking a hard line."

The government was seeking an ex parte injunction -- which can be served without notice to the other party.

The family lawyer for the George family says the pursuit of that injunction may have precipitated the show of police force on the night of George's death, on Sept. 6.

Before Harris took the witness stand Monday, natives attending the inquiry held a Debwewin Circle, or "truth" ceremony, to implore Harris to "speak from the heart."

George's brother Sam, led the natives through the fire-burning ceremony held in a giant teepee erected outside the site of the Ipperwash inquiry. The fire and smoke are used to cleanse and bring forth the truth.

"We connect our hearts and our minds with these fires, and that's who we do that, and that's how we become one," said Sam George.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss

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Timeline

Ipperwash Timeline

Shooting to Inquiry

The Dudley George shooting: Timeline of events from the shooting to the Ipperwash Inquiry.

Ipperwash Inquiry

Highlights of Testimony

There are 101 witnesses registered to testify at the Ipperwash inquiry. Mike Harris is listed at the 100th witness.

History

Ipperwash History

Ipperwash land claims

Historical background of the Ipperwash land claims covering 300 years.

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This short piece illustrates perfectly the problem with the adversarial legal system, where the idea of actual guilt is irrelevant to all participants in the pantomime. I support the vigorous defence of a person's rights, but also grasp why lawyers come across slimy. It's hard to look crystal clear and clean when you provide your services on a foundation of one set of acceptable lies against another.

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