Inquiry appeals to high court

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A secret informant on racist activities in Saskatchewan is being investigated by the inquiry into the shooting death of Leo LaChance, the inquiry panel announced in a surprise move.

Prince Albert city police made the admission during a closed-door meeting with the three-member commission investigating the slaying of the 48-year-old Cree trapper.

At a brief resumption of the public hearings Aug. 24, the panel also announced it would suspend its work while it asked the Supreme Court of Canada to decide whether the informant should be named.

It is possible to publicly investigate the justice system's actions if the informant cannot be identified, the panel said.

The inquiry's work could be put on hold for months if the Supreme Court decides to hear the case.

Racist leader Carney Nerland, now serving a four-year manslaughter sentence for shooting LaChance through the door of his gun shop in 1991, is rumored to be the informant.

But the Saskatchewan RCMP is standing by a provincial appeal court ruling that protects them from naming the informant. Inquiry lawyer said, the federal police force is trying to cover up its interference in a local police investigation.

In another development, Nerland has asked for standing at the public investigation after initially refusing to participate. If granted standing, the 27-year-old Saskatchewan head of the Aryan Nations will be allowed to have a lawyer cross-examine inquiry witnesses and defend his interest.

Nerland has refused to testify during the investigation into the justice system's handling of the case. It was settled on a plea bargain without going to trial.

Meanwhile, the LaChance family has called for continued public support as delays and disputes threaten to drag the three-month old inquiry into the winter months.

"We ask people to continue to support us in their prayers and their faith," said David LaChance, brother of the slain Big River trapper.

The provincial government formed the inquiry panel last spring after a year of public pressure. Members of the Native community have been campaigning against Nerland's four-year sentence, saying he got an easy ride from the justice system because his victim was Native.