Unhappy Anniversary in Caledonia; Suspension of Law Hits 1 Year Anniversary in Caledonia
QUEEN'S PARK - Erie-Lincoln MPP Tim Hudak extended his thoughts and regrets to the people of Caledonia upon the one year anniversary of the occupation of the former Douglas Creeks Estates. Hudak also extended his regrets to both the aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities in the area that a total lack of leadership from government has allowed the unacceptable and dangerous situation to persist.
"For a long time now, the aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in the Caledonia and Six Nations Reserve area have had a positive and peaceful co-existence. It is very depressing and frustrating to see a once proud and vibrant community ripped apart at the seams," said Hudak. "Sadly, when you have a Premier whose style of leadership generally finds him hiding under his desk and hoping problems go away, this is the kind of result you get."
On February 28, 2006, the occupation began when a small group of Six Nations protesters moved on to the former Douglas Creeks Estates. In the past year, Caledonia has been witness to significant violence including the injury of 32 police officers and countless local residents, the suspension of the rule of law causing hooliganism and vandalism, a violent assault on the media and visiting senior citizens resulting in hospitalization, several intense marches and demonstrations, destruction of property including the tearing up of a major highway, blockades, a black-out caused by the vandalism to a Hydro One transformer and an enormous destruction of relationships within the community, with the police and with government.
It is estimated that some $55 million have been expended so far by the Province of Ontario alone including $30 million in OPP costs and $21 million to buy the land and compensate builders. Repairs to the damaged transformer cost utility payers through Hydro One another $1.5 million and has also caused the indefinite disruption of the Niagara Reinforcement - Transmission Line Project. Furthermore, taxpayers are also paying former Federal Liberal Cabinet Minister Jane Stewart $1,300 per day - she was appointed in May, 2006.
Sadly, over the past year, no progress has been made at the negotiating table, the site remains occupied, the local economy has been dramatically impacted and local residents are intimidated in their own homes. Local residents have suffered enormously, government leaders dither while taxpayer funded negotiators receive significant pay packages for no results.
"Since Dalton McGuinty has buried his head in the sand and the federal government sees no end in sight to the occupation, perhaps First Nations leaders will fill the leadership vacuum," said Hudak. "The Douglas Creeks land has been frozen, there is no threat of development. I call on Confederacy Chiefs Allan MacNaughton and Arnie General and the First Nations leadership to convince the occupiers to leave the site. This will allow for negotiations to continue in an atmosphere of peacefulness and stability."
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Contact:
Tim Hudak, MPP
416-325-8454
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BACKGROUNDER
Some of the lowlights of Dalton McGuinty?s Caledonia approach that have prolonged the occupation include:
* Negotiating while the rule of law was being ignored;
* Saying one thing and doing another by stating one day his government would only negotiate if two conditions were met, but then backing down 24 hours later without the conditions satisfied;
* Responding to an illegal occupation by using taxpayers money to buy the land and allow the protestors to stay on it without any conditions whatsoever;
* Refusing to divulge the cost of the ongoing occupation for months and having a Cabinet Minister respond to questions by saying "it will cost whatever it will cost."
* Promising residents financial compensation months ago and an end to the occupation by winter, and then breaking those promises, leaving residents in limbo;
* Downplaying the situation by saying it was happening "largely without incident" and having Ministers tell people "there is no occupation."