A void in leadership

Land Dispute Needs Attention

Dennis Smith, My View - Burlington Post - Jun 30, 2006

Property ownership and law enforcement have suffered major setbacks during a land dispute about a half-hour's drive from Burlington.

Public interest has ebbed somewhat since a group of natives occupying land in Caledonia removed two of three barricades. One remained this week in the Douglas Creek subdivision.

But home and cottage owners enjoying their properties elsewhere on Canada Day weekend should not feel complacent. One aboriginal expert has estimated there are nearly 800 native land claims across the country. Six Nations spokesperson Hazel Hill and other native leaders have warned of future efforts to reclaim land for native groups.

Regardless of whether the Caledonia land dispute ends soon, misguided negotiations and passive leadership have created a climate that encourages future native land occupations.

Government representatives (including some elected native leaders) avoided the situation in the early stages, allowing economic and personal hardships, plus tensions, to grow.

Ontario Provincial Police leadership has seemed more concerned about public relations than public safety in the Caledonia land dispute. Police were barred from a certain 'no go' zone and a car was allegedly driven at officers, resulting in an attempted murder charge.

There have also been complaints that law enforcement was lacking in barricaded areas.

The overall void in leadership has compromised safety and led to sorry behaviour by both natives and non-natives.

Television viewers have seen mobs engaging in fist fights and taunting police, plus a road being vandalized (dug up) in Caledonia. There have also been alleged racial slurs, plus vandalism of a hydro tower, knocking out power for days.

The government's response has been to write cheques for parties involved, including purchasing the occupied Douglas Creek property. The purchase is a mistaken approach that rewards this land occupation and will encourage future similar incidents. Why not examine the issue of lengthy land claim cases, instead of specifically rewarding this protest?

The best solution to the Caledonia land occupation is urged by Justice David Marshall, who is again asking that parties involved restore the law.

The Ontario Superior Court Justice, after proper legal process, ordered an eviction of native protesters from Douglas Creek Estates three months ago.

Marshall continues to insist that his orders be carried out and he is absolutely right.

Some may find an eviction onerous, but with proper resources and planning, police forces can resolve standoff situations peacefully.

Arrests and a period of police occupation may also be required to secure the disputed land.

These are not pleasant alternatives, but represent a safer approach than letting people take the law and the land into their own hands. After all, if police are not allowed to maintain order, who else will do it?