Hudak charges “failure of leadership” in Caledonia

McGuinty still hiding behind the sofa: Barrett

Queens Park – “Why is Premier McGuinty making Caledonia families who work hard and play by the rules fend for themselves instead of holding lawbreakers accountable?”

That was Opposition Leader Tim Hudak’s question in the Ontario legislature, following two days of non answers to similar questions from MPP Toby Barrett.

“While the Premier says he’s sorry, he has refused to hold to account the lawbreakers and what they’ve done to Caledonia families, including intimidation, home invasions and violence—these things all detailed in Christie Blatchford’s new book, expressing very clearly the failure of the McGuinty government to govern and to protect its citizens equally,” Hudak charged before questioning, “an extraordinary failure of leadership” that left Caledonia residents completely on their own amid the chaos of the four-and-a-half year dispute.

Acting Premier Dwight Duncan – in Premier McGuinty’s absence - refused to acknowledge their government’s negligence.

“Thank God for Christie Blatchford,” Barrett said. “The truth continues to come out while this government hides behind the sofa.”

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

Thursday 28 October 2010

Mr. Tim Hudak: The pattern of the Premier’s non-apology apologies extends to families in Caledonia. While the Premier says he’s sorry, he has refused to hold to account the lawbreakers and what they’ve done to Caledonia families, including intimidation, home invasions and violence—these things all detailed in Christie Blatchford’s new book, expressing very clearly the failure of the McGuinty government to govern and to protect its citizens equally.

It is an extraordinary failure of leadership. No wonder the Minister of Research and Innovation refuses to apologize, because Dalton McGuinty does not keep his word when he—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): First, withdraw the comment. Secondly, I remind the honourable member that he should not be using first names.

Mr. Tim Hudak: I withdraw the comment. But if Premier McGuinty does not keep his promises, how can we expect the minister to be held to account?

I ask the Acting Premier this: Why is Premier McGuinty making Caledonia families who work hard and play by the rules fend for themselves instead of holding lawbreakers accountable?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The government of Ontario has worked hard with our First Nations communities across Ontario, and all communities, to build a better future for all Ontarians. It’s an inclusive future that speaks to the best values of Ontarians. It’s a future that speaks to resolving issues without violence, without the use of police. It’s a future that speaks to job creation in our northern communities, where far too many aboriginal children go to bed hungry.

When that member and his party were given the choice, we know what happened there. We know what the inquiry said. When given those choices, that party made the wrong choice. It chose expediency over peace. It chose bad decisions over good decisions.

We will continue to build a stronger future for all Ontarians, the residents of Caledonia and our First Nations, but at the same time showing peace—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question