STAGE 8: MINISTER OF ENERGY
We decided to take advantage of Maurice Strong’s imminent departure by sending his boss, the recently appointed Minister of Energy and Environment Brenda Elliott, a letter describing the situation. Maurice Strong’s copy arrived on Friday 13th October, 1995, two and one half weeks before the Quebec separatist referendum. For those unfamiliar with the potential break-up of Canada, Federalist Canada was unexpectedly trailing in the polls, and was emphasizing its one remaining winner: financial strength. The federalists won by the thinnest of margins (50.2%). If Hydro-gate had somehow gone public at this stage, would the separatists have won? DURING STRONG’S DEPARTURE, 73 Superior Avenue
With Maurice Strong’s actual departure, I sent another letter to Brenda Elliott (Minister of Energy), with an added hand-written comment for his successor as chairman of Ontario Hydro, Bill Farlinger. 73 Superior Avenue,documents/bill_farlinger_1.gif
On behalf of Brenda Elliott, the Legal Services Branch strongly recommended that I take the case to the police. It was pretty obvious that Ontario Hydro Management would not respond; also Ontario Hydro was under new Management and could take the "hit". I asked Mr. Richard Darrah to contact the police. documents/minister_of_energy_3.gif
Meanwhile, Ontario Hydro Management had been unhappy about my letter to Brenda Elliott. Derek Cornthwaite, President of OHT, managed to get me into his office to promise not to send any more memos about allegations of criminal fraud. Making the promise wasn’t a major problem … I was scheduled to meet the Fraud Squad, who presumably would determine whether Jim Brown was chargeable or not. documents/derek_cornthwaite_1.gif
STAGE 9: FRAUD SQUAD II
