Aboriginal 'lawlessness' blamed on Grits' inaction

By CP
Feb. 14, 2008

TORONTO -- The Liberal government needs to restore respect for the rule of law in Caledonia, Ontario's Opposition leader said yesterday as the town prepares to mark the two-year anniversary of a bitter and divisive aboriginal occupation.

John Tory cited the growth of the illegal cigarette industry, the struggles of developers on the Grand River and the spread of native blockades across Ontario as proof lawlessness has become rampant throughout the First Nations community at large.

"Dalton McGuinty's Liberals are letting respect for the law -- the backbone of our entire system -- crumble and we just can't stand by and let it happen," Tory said.

"We live in Ontario, not the OK Corral. It's time the actions of Ontario's premier and his government reflect that."

Developers seeking to build in the area are also being asked to pay "development fees," which Tory described as akin to extortion.

The climate created by the Liberals has left the Ontario Provincial Police confused about how to police the occupation -- the result, he said, of an overzealous reading of the final report from the inquiry into the police shooting of aboriginal protester Dudley George at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995.

"(The report) talked a lot about the OPP framework for policing and talked a lot about democratic accommodation and mutual respect -- minimizing the use of force," Tory said.

"What (the report) didn't recommend is that everybody should take a hands-off approach to all kinds of incidents."

The problems extend beyond the First Nations community, Tory added, citing the controversy over the botched prosecution of six Toronto drug squad officers facing corruption charges. A judge stayed the charges because the case was taking too long to get to trial, prompting opposition calls for a public inquiry.

Yesterday, McGuinty ruled out the possibility of a public inquiry in the police corruption case.

But he praised the work of provincial police on the Caledonia occupation, given the situation's volatile nature and the constraints imposed by the Ipperwash inquiry.

He also dismissed Tory's concerns and insisted progress is being made on the First Nations file.