Caledonia school a fence away from occupation site; Fence separating students from from protesters unfinished

Owen Sound Sun Times

- Wednesday, September 06, 2006 @ 12:00

A wooden fence that was supposed to separate an elementary school in caledonia, Ont., from the seven-month aboriginal occupation next door still isn't finished, much to the consternation of Premier Dalton McGuinty.

The 2.5-metre fence was supposed to prevent students at Notre Dame Catholic School from being distracted by the occupation, which has been taking place on the disputed tract of land since February.

"I'm disappointed to learn that that fence is not up," McGuinty said during a back-to-class visit Tuesday at a school north of Toronto. "I think we owe it to the parents and we owe it to the children there to ensure that they are going to school with a sense of security . . . I cannot believe and will not believe we can't get a fence built."

The fence was supposed to span a 30-metre stretch at behind the school, where the playground borders the half-finished Douglas Creek Estates development that's at the heart of a bitter land dispute.

Tensions have escalated in the community in recent months, at times leading to violent clashes between caledonia residents and Six Nations protesters.

Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer also voiced her displeasure with the failure to implement other security measures at Notre Dame, sentiments she said are echoed by many parents.

"We were promised a solid fence would be up, we were promised a berm with trees - neither has happened. We were promised extra surveillance cameras - hasn't happened. So, no, we're not happy."

The delay is simply because not enough time was set aside, said Theresa Harris, director of education for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

Another five surveillance cameras will be installed outside the school in a week or so, bringing the total to eight, Harris said.

A provincial police liaison officer will be on site during school hours, along with at least 10 officers outside the school.