The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Affairs of Algoma University College (1976-1977) was appointed by Order in Council (O.C. 616/76) dated March 10, 1976. The Commission's work continued for a period of 20 months during which five weeks of the public hearings were held and four reports were submitted. The Preliminary Report, dated June 30 1976, contained findings relating to public hearings and recommended changes in the structure and personnel of the college. The Second Report, dated July 30, 1976, set out a series of refelctions upon the administration of the college under the trusteeship recommended in the Preliminary Report. The Third Report, dated June 3, 1977, recommended an extension of the trusteeship; the Final Report was delivered on November 15, 1977.
The Commission was headed by John Whiteside, Q.C., O. Ont. He is a distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor as well as a founding member of that university's Board of Governors. His numerous public appointments included serving on the Board of Governors of Essex College, Assumption University and numerous other civic boards and positions within the Anglican Church of Canada. Under Whiteside, the Commission was charged with investigating, studying and reporting on:
(1) All aspects of the management of Algoma University College bearing upon its effective operation including: (a) the relationship between the Board of Governors of Algoma University College and any and all entities, organizations or elements thereof,
(a) the relationship between the Board of Governors of Algoma University College and the Board of Directors of Algoma College Association,
(b) the affiliation between and other arrangements existing between Algoma University College and Laurentian University, (d) the means employed in the incorporation of the aforesaid College and Association and the adequacy and propriety thereof.
(2) To make recommendations regarding any actions or alterations which may be deemed appropriate for the implementation of any recommendations arising from (1).
Mr. Whiteside was in general practice from 1955-75. He was appointed to the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor where he lectured from 1975 to 1990.
