David Crombie is warning Haldimand residents to be prepared to deal with land claims from Six Nations for years to come.
"Negotiations will be with us for some time," Crombie said. "The idea that people might have that negotiations will be dealt with in a couple of months and let's get on with life, it's going to be difficult to do that.
"The idea that the strategy is, 'Let's get rid of these claims and let's get back to where we were,' I just think that's not the case. We need to organize life while claims are going on."
Crombie, the facilitator between Haldimand and the federal government, said the issue is not unique to the county or Caledonia, which is about to mark the second anniversary of the aboriginal occupation of Douglas Creek Estates.
Aboriginals say it is on land that was never surrendered, but Ottawa says it was surrendered in 1844.
"This is not just something that has descended on either Caledonia or Haldimand," said the former Tory cabinet minister. "This is going on in some form or fashion across the country and, indeed, if you look at the international news, around the world."
He said, however, the county can move forward in the face of this challenge.
Haldimand has put forth a recovery plan to Ottawa and the province and is asking for $56 million to boost its economy with infrastructure, water and tourist projects.
Crombie is pushing Ottawa to give "an early response" to some of the ideas.
"We need to move forward and look, not to the thing that just hurt us, but how we move forward to make investments for the future for a new generation."
Crombie is to hold a public meeting Feb. 13 in Cayuga to give residents an update on negotiations on resolving Douglas Creek Estates.
The meeting will also feature a presentation of the recovery plan.
Six Nations, federal and provincial negotiators did not meet face to face this week because of weather, but Thursday held a conference call.
It was their 47th session and the talks have expanded to include other claims.
Federal and provincial negotiators reported that Six Nations negotiators said they need more time to gather community reaction to a $26-million offer to resolve a 1829 claim that involves flooding Six Nations land during the construction of the Welland Canal.
The three sides are set to meet again Feb. 20 and Feb. 21.