Gary McHale's bail conditions relaxed

Independent

The Sachem

Published on Sep 19, 2008

Independent candidate Gary McHale is being allowed access to Caledonia and Hagersville for the duration of the present federal election campaign. McHale, 46, had his bail conditions relaxed on Friday at a hastily called settlement conference before Superior Court Justice David Marshall on Friday, September 12th. The changes allow him access to the two communities in the riding of Haldimand Norfolk from which he was barred. The original bail conditions stem from his arrest for Counselling Mischief Not Committed at a confrontation near a native smokeshop in Caledonia in December.

McHale is now allowed to canvass door to door as long as no more than 15 people follow him, he may attend and speak at all-candidates meetings, but he is not to attend any public protests. McHale is not to attend a group of more than 10 people in a public place, and if he is at a private place with more than 50 people in attendance he must notify OPP of his whereabouts. These bail conditions apply to him only in Caledonia and Hagersville. McHale will also now be allowed to communicate with Caledonia resident Doug Fleming. As part of the agreement, McHale has dropped his request for a full bail review planned for September 29th.

"I am absolutely pleased (with the agreement)" McHale told the Sachem. McHale is still banned from being near a smoke shop or Douglas Creek Estates.

He says he plans to obey the new rules, but wonders how police will be able to enforce it. He fears that if he is talking to a group of five or six people and suddenly five or six more jump in that he will be inadvertently breaking his new restrictions. He expects OPP to be following and videotaping him extensively.

The change in his bail restrictions are in effect during the present election period only and expire on October 17, meaning McHale will once again be banned from Caledonia and Hagersville after the election.