The Dunnville Chamber of Commerce has named a town resident to the community government liaison table.
The table is a new configuration of a body created almost two years ago to allow residents to learn more about OPP and provincial and federal actions related to the Six Nations occupation and reclamation of the Douglas Creek Estates construction site in Caledonia.
The former committee was also a forum to voice concerns. Committee membership included representatives from Caledonia, the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Caledonia Citizen Alliance.
As of mid-January, OPP representatives are no longer members. Ontario special representative Murray Coolican shares co-chairmanship with Mayor Marie Trainer.
In the last nine months, impacts of Six Nations land rights issues have gone well beyond Douglas Creek Estates, with situations arising in Hagersville, Dunnville and the Edwards Landfill, said Coun. Lorne Boyko. He was a member of the original committee and continues to serve on the new body.
As a result, terms of reference for the group recently changed but remain confidential, he added.
Membership was adjusted to permit more community involvement. Along with a Dunnville representative, two individuals from other county areas will be endorsed by council, said Boyko.
Recently Haldimand County council supported a suggestion to add a representative selected by the Six Nations band council and another selected by the Confederacy Chiefs Council. The liaison group overwhelmingly agreed, added Boyko.
First Nations inclusion came as a result of a Haldimand County First Nations relationship committee meeting with Six Nations Band Chief Bill Montour. At that meeting, the new direction of the community government liaison committee was discussed. The chief said he would be interested in seeing Six Nations representatives as members.
Boyko heralded this membership change as a positive step.