KAREN BEST
Dunnville Chronicle
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:00
Haldimand County council has demanded that Prime Minister Stephen Harper assign Haldimand Norfolk MP Diane Finley to represent the municipality in land claims negotiations in order to prevent economic disaster.
"She needs to be at every (Haldimand) planning meeting, every community meeting and first-hand at the negotiating table," said Coun. Don Ricker, who represents Moulton, Sherbrooke and Dunn. "Haldimand County should not be kept from any (negotiating) table. This is our issue ... If this moves forward, this is going to help Haldimand County and Canada."
In a press release issued by the county on Monday, Haldimand council stated it wanted to be a player in an event crucial to the county's future. "We can no longer stand on the sidelines and watch this municipality's economy fail. We can no longer tolerate a situation that inhibits any future planning to realize this county's potential," said Mayor Marie Trainer as she read the release to members of the media.
She announced council's intention to meet with Harper and Finley as soon as possible. If there is no action on the request, "we will have to go to Ottawa and sit on the door step (of Parliament)," said Trainer.
The county's expectation is that Harper will assign Finley as the federal government's person on the ground or minister responsible for Haldimand County, to ensure claims settlements are given the highest priority, Trainer read.
Finley said she could not speculate what the prime minister would do but that she will continue to view this issue as a priority and relay council's concerns to cabinet. If named the county's minister, she would still have to be fulltime in Ottawa.
Willing to meet with council and to help in anyway she can, she believed the economic impact study of the land claim issue was under discussion at the negotiating tables.
"We are taking real action here," said Finley referring to Canada's $125 million offer for four Six Nations land claims.
Last spring, Haldimand County chief administrative officer Bill Pearce was allowed to attend one main negotiating table meeting as an observer. Trainer would like at least observer status to be reestablished for the county.
An accelerated process for land claims in Haldimand County is the only solution to a situation threatening the economy, council noted in its statement. Coun. Tony Dalimonte said claims resolution will help restore calm, cooperation and development in the community.
In 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand granted Six Nations six miles on either side of the Grand River to replace lands lost by Britain's First Nations allies in the American War of Independence.
This week Trainer said Haldimand County was "a pilot project for the natives to see what can happen" with occupations. Caledonia, Dunnville, Hagersville and other parts of the county have "become lightning rods for First Nations frustrations over land claim inaction by the federal government" , she read.
"Our developers, our businesses need help," said Trainer. "Why should they be held hostage for the rest of Canada? That's not fair."
Without faster action on land claims resolution, Haldimand County will be "dead in the water", said Coun. Buck Sloat. He was incredulous about the federal government's position that claims had been 'fast-tracked' over the past 16 months. None are settled and the county has no idea when they will be settled, he said.
For years, house building was the number one industry in Haldimand County and cessation of construction is having a huge impact, said Coun. Tony Dalimonte. In the press release, council stated that permanent damage because of lost opportunities will occur if the situation is allowed to continue.
Months ago, Haldimand County council asked Finley to arrange for an economic impact study. They have yet to receive word on progress with this request.
Along with the economic impact study, Trainer wanted to see some land claims settled, occupiers removed from DCE and other locations and a promise that no further occupations would be tolerated.
Trainer said a dozen development projects, including Caledonia's Douglas Creek Estates (650 units) and Hagersville's MacNeil subdivision (85 homes), have been affected. She also said Wes Elliott of Six Nations told council that a 58-home development in York would not proceed. She did not provide further information about other projects.
"Developers will not go ahead for fear of what will happen when they put the shovel into the ground," said Dalimonte. "How can the federal government expect us to compete when development is being strangled?"
"It's going to be almost impossible for the developers to get financing on projects in Haldimand County," noted Sloat.
He told media that the federal government made it clear that third parties with clear title to land will retain ownership. Trainer pointed out a double standard where the Ontario government guaranteed the DCE title and then bought the property and had yet to ask occupiers to leave.
Ontario Provincial Police have said they will not make any movement to remove Six Nations protesters from any properties until land claims are settled, reported Trainer.
Developers have millions of dollars tied up in properties and are paying property taxes on land they cannot build on, she said. At the request of developers, the county will ask the federal government to reimburse property taxes, she added.
Trainer said, "Radical splinter groups are stopping progress."
She called upon the Six Nations band council and elected Chief Dave General and Confederacy Chiefs to curtail activities of these groups. She defined them as " 20 to 30-year-olds who are having fun at our expense".
Canadian and provincial negotiators could walk away from the negotiating table if splinter groups continue with occupations, she added. As it is, at least five groups are active on Six Nations, said the mayor referring to the elected council, Confederacy council, clan mothers, Mohawk workers and iron workers. Some Six Nations members do not agree with any of the five, she reported.
When reminded that Confederacy chiefs wanted land, Trainer said Six Nations could develop thousands of reserve acres that are growing up in weeds. By installing sewage systems, the Six Nations community could expand within the reserve boundary, she added.
"That comment shows there is a clear cultural misunderstanding of how our people view the land and how Haldimand County may see it. Mayor Trainer and her council need a cultural education," said Six Nations Confederacy Chief Allen MacNaughton in a statement responding to the county's press release.
With the $125 million offered by the federal government to resolve the claims of Moulton and Burtch Townships, Grand River Navigation Company investment loss and flooding of lands from the Dunnville dam, Six Nations could purchase land from willing buyers, said Trainer.
Three months ago, Six Nations responded to the $125 million offer and asked for answers from the federal government on how the sum was calculated.
Answers have yet to be received, said MacNaughton.
On Monday,MacNaughton said land rights negotiations are between Six Nations and the Crown. However, if Trainer wanted the privilege of sitting at the table, she should address Confederacy council directly, he said. The mayor had yet to ask council if they objected to her sitting at the main negotiating table, he continued.
MacNaughton declined an earlier request to meet with Trainer in private. "I know some politicians do, but I don't and the Confederacy doesn't. Our people need to know what 's going on."
He advised Trainer to follow the law and to apply by letter to be placed on a council agenda.
MacNaughton denounced the suggestion of adding Finley to the main table as this would slow down discussions.