The last time we were in Caledonia we were being shown around town when the driver saw Toby Barrett, the MPP for the Caledonia area. He was heading the opposite direction on his way home after a long day - it was about 7:30 pm. The driver turned the vehicle around and we caught up to Mr. Barrett by the Power Station.

We were introduced to Mr. Barrett who clearly knew who we were and he spoke to us for about 1 hour by the side of the road. This is open dialogue, something the OPP had Promised, and this is access to your elected officals, something the Ontario Liberals have failed to do. The next day Mr. Barrett had emailed us information that we asked for, information we believed the public needed to know.

This is how people who believe in democracy act. This is what happens when you care more for those you represent than your career in a political party or your position in Cabinet.

How is she Out of Touch with the People?

Her presence in Caledonia this past week tells a lot about her view of the People, her view of Democracy and her view of Accountability. Did she sit in an open forum to speak to the people? Did she go to your homes to see where you live and how you live? Did she make herself available to all or to a few?

Mrs. Finley met people at a library where her RCMP body guards assured her that only one or two people could see her at any one time. We must point out that RCMP body guards are not a normal thing - most MPs have never had such protection. She had this security because she must have asked for it.

With hundreds of OPP officers in town why did she feel that she needed the RCMP protection? Wouldn't it be nice for residents to have such protection. It is clear the RCMP had no problem being in Caledonia - both to protect Mrs. Finley and also to have 80+ officers stationed in Caledonia for several months. So why can't Mrs. Finley request RCMP to be posted at Thistlemoor?

While the residents of Caledonia gathered to ensure the Natives didn't barricade the road again, Mrs. Finley was safe in the library with RCMP body guards. I know for a fact that she was asked to come down and see what the people were experiencing, to see first hand and to speak to the people at Argyle St.

Did anyone see her there? Did anyone hear her speak to encourage the people, to bring about peace to offer her support for the common person?

Immediately after speaking to Michelle we called Diane's office in Ottawa, the ministry office, and asked to speak to Diane. Once we told them it was about Caledonia we were told that it was a provincial issue.

We said that Diane represents the people of Caledonia and they would like to hear her personal views on the matter. We were told it was a provincial issue and the person hanged up - the total call was about 4 minutes.

This was the first time anyone has hung up on us and it was our first call to her Ottawa office. We have spoken with people at Mr. McGuinty's office about 100+ times and never once have they hung up the phone on us. After dozens of calls to McGuinty we even started getting pushy with them and still they never hung up the phone.

I am sure the people who met with Diane Finley this past week heard the phrase, "it is a provincial issue" repeatedly stated by her. Her office staff clearly were told to repeat the same line regardless who called from Caledonia - then just hang up.

This is the person who is trying to represent you for the next 5 years - or should I say trying to collect a paycheque for representing you in name only.

The Conservatives Believe you have no Choice but to Vote for Diane.

posted by Garth Turner on 07.11.06 @ 11:35 pm |

Dear Doug:

Now I understand you and I have not been the closest of political allies. In fact, during that last election campaign I hear you, the supreme commander, considered me to be a potential problem. Maybe you were right. I did not always seek, or gain, permission to speak my mind. I wrote my own election materials. I championed the middle class. But I won.

You are a brilliant tactician. I am a populist demagogue. You are already plotting the next Conservative election win. I am a lowly backbencher – just an MP, and yet curiously proud of it. You are blessed by the party, and I probably am not. But it’s still my party, and I have been a Conservative my entire life – an MP twice, minister once, hell, even a national leadership contender.

My parents were everything the grassroots of this party stands for – workers, donators, constituency organizers. My brother and sister both sought Progressive Conservative nominations. My brother was an advance tour guy for Bob Stanfield. I bummed a ride to Ottawa and ate lunch with John Diefenbaker when I was twelve. I grew up, mobilized thousands of people, and led them to Parliament Hill two decades ago to take on Trudeau.

And today I am an MP again. This time with an agenda steeped in conservative values but topped with two simple promises I made a few months ago, when you were on the airplane leading the troops. I told people I would work for them first, party second. And I said I’d do the right thing, as I saw it, every day.

I hear you are planning things. So, I think you should return my call.