In reference to your letter dated March 1, 1999 addressed to Errol Mendes, Human Rights Research and Education Centre.

We are returning to you the video cassette unopened and unseen. As you know possession of child pornography in Canada is illegal. As well, the mandate of the Centre does not permit a response to this type of intervention.

Sincerely
 
[signed]
 
Alan Fleichman, Librarian
HRREC
 

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15 June 99

Alan Fleichman, Librarian
Human Rights Research and Education Centre
University of Ottawa

Dear Mr. Fleichman:

I am not clear as to how to interpret your response to my letter and video to Errol Mendes. In your letter you write that you are returning the video tape unopened and unseen, and yet you feel that it constitutes child pornography. I am at a loss to understand how you can have this perception without having viewed the material.

I also fail to understand how a video tape of a common medical procedure, being performed in Canada by a licensed physician, can be interpreted as child pornography.

In any case you should know that, under the Child and Family Services Act, section 72, you have a legal duty to report knowledge of such materials to the police.