Builder hopes to avoid land claim dispute; May continue work on housing even without resolution with natives

Michael-Allan Marion
Brantford Expositor
Friday, August 31, 2007 - 07:00

Local News - A local builder says he does not expect city police to intervene if natives occupy his housing project on Grand River Avenue that has fallen victim to a land claim dispute.

Mike Quattrociocchi of Mayberry Homes said he may have to order a construction crew to end a temporary halt on his recently begun rental housing project on Grand River Avenue at Jarvis Street if he can't resolve, in a meeting Saturday with the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, a land claim dispute that includes his property.

Quattrociocchi, a former city councillor, ordered the work stoppage last Friday after Confederacy members showed up at the vacant property by the banks of the Grand. They said the area was subject to a land claim and advised the crew to stop work.

Quattrociocchi told them he believed his development had been cleared through the Confederacy secretary. After some discussion, however, he agreed to halt work at least until Saturday when he is expected to address the Confederacy council in the Onondaga Longhouse, in the hope of getting a solution.

But he also told The Expositor he may have to resume work after that - even without a resolution - because he is a small developer and has bills to pay. He said he has not yet made that decision, but fears it may prompt an occupation.

He also said he spoke to city police officers about the native visit and what kind of action the department might take if the dispute escalates into an occupation.

"If this continues to escalate, they made it clear to me that they wouldn't be removing anyone unless there's an injunction," said Quattrociocchi. "I empathize with the police because they're caught in the middle of this, but so am I."

Insp. Scott Easto of city police confirmed Thursday that officers had an "extensive discussion" with Quattrociocchi, but he insisted it was a private talk with a citizen and declined to elaborate on what was said.

Easto said that as a private citizen Quattrociocchi is free to say whatever he wants about his problem, adding that his comments about the police do not reflect departmental policies or positions in the dispute.

Easto also declined to discuss the department's position in the dispute.

"It would be difficult to comment on what we might do or not do," he said. "Any actions that could occur in the future are going to be dependent upon circumstances. Even then, any actions would not resolve the larger situation."

Brant MPP Dave Levac said he informed provincial authorities last Friday, right after he heard from Quattrociocchi. The situation is being closely monitored, he said.

Levac also confirmed he is aware of Quattrociocchi's statements that he may have to order work to resume on the site, but he declined to discuss its potential effect in the dispute.

"I would rather not prejudge what might happen," he said. "I'd rather wait to see what happens on Saturday."

He also said Quattrociocchi should not be blamed for his problem because he is one of many victims in an overall dispute over land claims that has gone unresolved by Ottawa for far too long.

"I hope the federal government is paying attention to this and the new minister of Indian and Northern Affairs is watching."

The Grand River Avenue development is one of many projects that over the past five months have come up at city council meetings, in which Confederacy members have issued a standard warning that the properties in question are subject to subject to land claims.

After receiving notices, some of those developers are also expected to present their cases at the Confederacy council meeting.