Oct 23, 2007
Kingston Whig Standard
Despite a tentative truce, tensions remain high between a mining company that's prospecting for uranium north of Sharbot Lake and the Algonquins that are blocking access to the exploration site.
Frontenac Ventures president George White said he plans to instruct his lawyer to move ahead with a motion that could jail protesters who continue barring access.
"The Algonquins apparently have put a lock on the gate and they will not allow anyone to go in there," White said yesterday.
On Friday, lawyers for the Algonquins and Frontenac Ventures said they were close to a deal that would allow Frontenac Ventures to reconvene non-drilling work. They hoped to have a final agreement hammered out by Sunday.
The Algonquin protesters cleaned up their encampment and moved it outside of the gate last week, but the final agreement hasn't been reached yet.
Until that time, the native protesters won't allow anyone inside, said Chris Reid, lawyer for the Ardoch Algonquins. Reid said he didn't know who put the lock on the gate, but assumed it was police investigating the vacated site.
OPP spokeswoman Kristine Rae couldn't be reached for comment yesterday, but Reid suggested the OPP may have locked the gate to preserve the integrity of the site so they can check for damages before it is handed back to Frontenac Ventures.
Despite White's frustration, Reid said discussions between the lawyers are going well and there are just a few outstanding issues. A mediator must still be chosen. That person will facilitate talks over the province's decision to allow Frontenac Ventures to explore land that disputedly belongs to the Algonquins. The Algonquins say the property is theirs because the British proclaimed in 1763 that all land not sold or surrendered to the Crown would belong to the natives.
Also, the sides must decide who will monitor the exploration work of Frontenac Ventures. The size of the land that will be the subject of mediation must also be decided upon.
Stephen Reynolds, lawyer for the Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquins, said that issue can be worked out later.
"We agree there should be discussions on broader issues, but we will focus on the exploration lands first with a view to moving to a bigger picture if and when possible," he said.
The two sides were originally set to deal with the contempt motion in court on Nov. 14, but with negotiations towards a truce progressing, the motion date had been adjourned for 12 weeks as of the start of discussions with the province, Reid said.
The company has asked that protesters be found in contempt of court and fined $5,000 for each day of the occupation and made to pay the company $50,000 in punitive damages.
White said yesterday he hopes to move that court date up. Reid said he can't do that.
"As long as we're negotiating, it's supposed to be adjourned," he said, referring to an agreement between lawyers. "Once we have agreement on these points and a date has been set for the mediating sessions, Frontenac can begin their work and the 12 weeks can begin."