LAWLESSNESS IN CALEDONIA HURTING ONTARIANS

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said that Dalton McGuinty must immediately restore the rule of law in Caledonia and the surrounding area and take steps to end the all unlawful activities before anyone else gets hurt.

“What is it going to take for Dalton McGuinty to end the lawlessness in Caledonia?” asked Tory. “The people of Caledonia and the surrounding area have had to deal with arson, extortion, barricades, land seizures, occupations, militant protests, harassment, intimidation, mob violence and threats to public safety. When is Dalton McGuinty going to realize that Ontarians are suffering and restore the rule of law?”

Tory made his remarks alongside Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett following a meeting with Caledonia resident Sam Gualtieri. Mr. Gualtieri was attacked at a home he was building for one of his daughters on a disputed land site. He is still suffering from the incident, which happened this past September and left him with a fractured cheek bone, broken collar bone and head trauma from the attack.

Tory also met with impacted builders and developers on his visit and called on the government to provide affected local businesses with proper compensation for their losses.  

Tory again called on the McGuinty Liberals to take immediate action and provide:

• A clear, unqualified statement that there is one rule of law for everyone in Ontario that will be upheld always.
• A policy that the Government will not negotiate on the substance of any legal dispute with any person or group involved in an illegal occupation or any other illegal activity.
• A commitment to use the courts to ensure one rule of law and a commitment to not stand in the way of police enforcing the law.
• A commitment to an independent examination of the chaos presently enveloping our justice system as charges are dropped, cases are thrown out and outrageous deals are agreed to. If the government has nothing to hide, why not commit to an inquiry now?

“Enough is enough,” said Barrett. “This lawlessness has to be stopped. People have been suffering in Caledonia now for almost two years. Dalton McGuinty owes them more than lip service. It’s time for him to bring to an end all forms of disrespect for the law in Caledonia, the surrounding area and across the province.”