TORONTO - The head of a commission set up to hear from aboriginal residential school survivors says he is worried about government interference.
Justice Harry LaForme tells The Canadian Press he was surprised to find out that Ottawa set up an administrative secretariat for his Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a government department.
LaForme also says the feds want control over the commission's purse-strings, which could lead to interference in how he does his job.
He says that could undermine the panel's independence and discourage the very people it wants to hear from.
The commission was set up June 1 as part of a court-supervised settlement of a class action arising out of the residential school system.
A government spokeswoman says discussions are underway to allay LaForme's concerns and says the commission will be able to operate independently of government.
