Q: Why did you cancel the meeting with David Ramsay?
A: I felt there was political grandstanding going on ... and I'm not prepared to be part of that. This is a serious issue and I'm prepared to talk about it in a serious way ... I've had reasonably open lines of communication (with Ramsay) until about a week ago ...
Q: Do you dispute the federal government's role in the land claim?
A: No one should forget this started as the occupation of private land in Ontario precipitated by a development by an Ontario corporation with the approvals of an
Ontario land-use planning board under Ontario law. And it then became an
Ontario policing issue ... At the heart of this there is concern about land claims ... There is federal jurisdiction there, not exclusive jurisdiction and I understand that and we're working on that. The claim itself predates Confederation -- it's a claim Ontario brought into Confederation with it, so to suggest it's exclusive federal jurisdiction is not the case.
Q: From the native perspective, they want to talk to Canada and say the province is the lead.
A: I wouldn't agree with that ... In the last five weeks, personally I've met with (elected) Chief (David) General, personally in my office. I've met with Chief Alex (sic) MacNaughton. I had coffee with him. I have met with both (federal negotiator) Ron Dearing and (provincial negotiator) Jane Stewart ...
Q: The premier said the federal government hasn't spent a penny. What have you spent money on?
A: There are the costs relating to the RCMP. We have been at the negotiation table bearing the costs of our officials there. There's no doubt at the end of the day we will achieve a resolution of this and to the extent these are land claims costs, the federal government will participate.
Q: Will Ottawa bare the brunt of costs for a resolution?
A: That's not clear. We will see to what
extent this is an Ontario issue and to what extent it's a federal issue.
Q: Are you pleased with how talks are going?
A: It is slow ... Part of my concern is
that the citizens of Caledonia need to know that at the table we are making progress.
Q: Is it fair for the federal government to share the $40 million tab?
A: Ontario is responsible for property and civil rights and justice and policing.