Re: 'Judge vows law and order will return to Caledonia' (July 6)
There is a growing perception, due to the current occupation in Caledonia, that the governments, protesters and OPP leaders have not come any closer to a peaceful resolution. The perception is that this has resulted in a mockery of the legal system, that the protesters have no intention of leaving the Douglas Creek Estates and that the government has neither the will nor the bargaining power to remove them.
There is also the perception that the ignoring of orders issued by Ontario Superior Court Justice David Marshall by these converging groups has plunged Caledonia into a state of lawlessness and economic paralysis, with little hope for recovery so long as this occupation continues.
These perceptions can be justified in that the government has done little to inform its citizens regarding the progress of negotiations, if indeed progress has been made at all.
The situation exists today as it did nearly five months ago, despite the fact that millions of taxpayers' dollars have been spent on policing, legal fees, infrastructure repair and restitution.
Taking a dispute to court is a fundamental principle to resolution in free societies. Abiding by the decisions of the court means giving it the respect it deserves. It appears the government, the OPP and the protesters, to this point, had little or no intention of abiding by the judge's orders or utilizing this approach. Small wonder, and little relief, that Justice Marshall has stated his court has been "destroyed."
How was it possible that the actions of this collective group created such a quagmire? What happened to respect and recognition for authority? How do we change this perception?
Maybe the answers reside once more with Marshall. Perhaps, with the lessons that have already been learned regarding contempt for the court, Marshall will succeed in restoring the rule of law.
Land claims are not a "Caledonia issue," they are a national issue. Maybe it is time to let the court decide if the occupation of Douglas Creek Estates is a provincial or federal matter.
Welcome back everyone -- to Feb. 28, 2006, Caledonia, Ont. The events of these past months have pushed us all full circle. Do you think we can get it right this time?
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