By Bill Jackson – The Regional
The federal Liberal Party's Deputy Leader Michael Ignatieff paid a visit to Caledonia last Friday afternoon, promising that a new Liberal government, if elected, would make Caledonia issues a number one priority for the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.
Ignatieff, the Member of Parliament for the Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding was critical of the Conservative Government's approach to settling land claims during the past two years and said he wants to work toward a more ambitious timeframe by increasing the frequency of negotiation meetings with Six Nations. A deadline also needs to be set, he urged.
Unless discussions are accelerated they could go on forever and continue to damage the economy of the whole region, Ignatieff noted, adding that local land claims issues have taken on national significance.
Local Liberal candidate Eric Hoskins brought Ignatieff to his election campaign office on
After being given short notice of Ignatieff's appearance, approximately 20 people gathered at Hoskin's campaign office. Several people criticized a lack of local presence and leadership with incumbent Conservative MP Diane Finley in office during the past three years.
Liberal supporter Alastair Robertson of Jarvis pointed out that Finley's lack of presence is partly due to the fact her husband serves as the Tories' campaign manager and director of political operations. Their home is in
Ignatieff called Hoskins a great local candidate, praising his work with children in war torn regions around the globe. He said he doesn't waste his time visiting ridings Liberals are going to lose.
"We've had Liberal representatives in the past, we'll have Liberal representation again…" he said.
Former Liberal MP Bob Speller was also on hand for the gathering of party leaders from the past, present and possibly the future, which made its way down Argyle Street afterward to speak with local constituents, some of whom were stationed strategically at nearby locales.