Mar 16, 2007
Liberal Party web site [Link]

Ottawa – Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice must demand his colleague, Immigration Minister Diane Finley, stop interfering with the disputed lands at the centre of the Caledonia standoff, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville said today.

“From the outset of the conflict at Caledonia, Ms. Finley has been missing in action. Numerous reports have her as being unavailable to either side involved in the conflict, even though the disputed lands are in her constituency of Haldimand-Norfolk,” said Ms. Neville.

“Now, despite the on-going dispute and negotiations over the land, Ms. Finley is ignoring the land claim process by pushing forward with plans for an infrastructure facility on the disputed lands. Minister Prentice must intervene in his role as Indian Affairs Minister and demand his colleague cease her activities.”

Ms. Neville added that the Conservative government has mishandled the dispute at Caledonia from the beginning.

“At first they abdicated their responsibility, and brushed the issue off as one of provincial jurisdiction,” said Ms. Neville. “When the outcry over their inaction became too loud to ignore, they finally appointed a federal negotiator, months after the dispute first began. Now, as the dispute has entered its second year, we find out Ms. Finley is short-circuiting the entire process,” said Ms. Neville.

“The Minister must prevent his colleague from setting the process back any further than she already has with her reckless disregard for the land claims process.”