Aboriginal protesters' plans annoy McGuinty

Aug 31, 2006
Canadian Press

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he doesn't want to see aboriginal protesters settling in for the winter at the former housing development they've been occupying in Caledonia, Ont., since February.

He said yesterday he was not pleased to hear Six Nations protesters were asking their supporters for donations of food and building supplies to help maintain their occupation through the winter.

The protesters staying in Douglas Creek Estates "in some kind of permanent way, through the winter for example -- that is not acceptable to us," Mr. McGuinty said.

"Any occupation of that land, any future use of that land, is a subject of negotiations."

An appeal on a website set up for the Six Nations protesters calls for donations of food, warm clothing, building supplies and money to help continue the occupation in Caledonia through the winter.

Janie Jamieson, a spokeswoman for the protesters, said Tuesday they hope to finish the construction of 11 half-built homes if they get the donated building supplies.

"The option is to tear them down or to finish them," Ms. Jamieson said. "If we have that opportunity to finish them so our people won't have to sleep in snowbanks, I'd really like to see that."

Aboriginals and the provincial and federal levels of government continue to negotiate the fate of the land. Meanwhile, the disputed site is being held in trust by the province. Caledonia residents said they were horrified at the thought of the occupation lasting into the winter.

Jason Clark, a lifelong Caledonia resident, said Tuesday that people are at their "wit's end." The occupation, which has been marred by barricades in the town and violent clashes between aboriginals and residents, has driven some residents to take medication for anxiety, he said.

"There is high anxiety on both sides," said Mr. Clark, a member of the Caledonia Citizens Alliance.

A newspaper report yesterday said the province's negotiator, Jane Stewart, is being paid $1,300 a day.

The report said that the agreement between Ontario and Ms. Stewart stipulates that while she's paid nearly $180 an hour, her total bill can go up to $300,000.

Her agreement runs from May 5, 2006, to March 31, 2007.

The terms of her compensation were disclosed through a freedom-of- information request filed by The Hamilton Spectator.

A similar freedom-of-information request for David Peterson's deal with the province found there is no order in council or contract between Ontario and Mr. Peterson, who negotiated on behalf of the province for about six weeks.

Mr. Peterson said he wasn't paid anything for his work.