Premier Dalton McGuinty hinted yesterday he's ready to begin the process of giving Ipperwash Provincial Park back to the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
Handing over the Lake Huron recreation area "may be the kind of ... decision we can take within the very near future," McGuinty said.
His comments came hours after the brother of slain Ipperwash protester Dudley George held a news conference at Queen's Park asking that native people be given title to the park they occupied Sept. 4, 1995, in a land claims dispute. The unarmed George was killed by an Ontario Provincial Police officer two days later.
"I think such a commitment would be a strong signal to all people across the country, native and non-native, that we can increase the trust and honour between us," Sam George said, calling for a commitment in the next few days.
Giving the once-popular beach and camping destination to the native group was not one of Justice Sidney Linden's recommendations in Thursday's Ipperwash inquiry report. He did advise that an adjacent former army camp be returned to the Kettle and Stony Point group, and the federal government has said it will return the land appropriated in 1942.
Also yesterday, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay, whose responsibilities include native affairs, said "the stars are aligning" for two of Linden's recommendations – a separate ministry of aboriginal affairs and an independent agency to deal with land claims.
"There seems to be a building consensus that (a free-standing ministry) is a good idea, so that's been a positive first step," he said. "I think they can become realities, and it's a matter of when. Everybody seems to be in agreement with this."
Ramsay said he talked yesterday with his federal counterpart, Jim Prentice, and the two will meet next week to discuss the park and Linden's recommendations.
McGuinty said the provincial government wants to talk with aboriginal leaders before making any moves on returning the park, but acknowledged it would lend "some greater finality" to cede title.
"I appreciate the advice offered by Mr. George, but I'm sure you'd recognize that it's incumbent upon us to consult with the aboriginal leadership," McGuinty said in Richmond Hill as Liberals began their last major policy convention before the Oct. 10 provincial election.
It could take years to work out details of transferring the park's ownership but the commitment must be made now to help avoid potential violence during a June 29 First Nations day of protest over unsettled land claims, George said.
"It will show faith towards any other land claims that are going to start," George said.
"I understand the symbolism that Mr. George is attaching to the future of the land, and I think he's got a point there," McGuinty told reporters.
George said he's seeking an apology from former premier Mike Harris. Linden found that Harris told staff "I want the f----ing Indians out of the park," but was not responsible for Dudley George's death. Harris could not be reached yesterday and his lawyer did not return calls.
Linden found the government's "imperative for speed" in dealing with the occupation led to poor decisions by the OPP and politicians.
McGuinty rejected charges made Thursday by Harris lawyer Peter Downard that the Liberals have conducted a "political smear" campaign against Harris for years by suggesting the former government directed police action at Ipperwash the night George was killed.
"I'm going to let the report speak for itself," McGuinty said.