Caledonia standoff dominates Ontario Legislature

It has now been 15 weeks since protesters occupied a Caledonia subdivision on February 28.  Week number 15 began for me at 1:30 am on Monday morning, as I watched a barn burn to the ground just outside of Caledonia.  The fire was tragic, and it foreshadowed the debate to dominate Queen’s Park for the rest of last week.

I met on Monday morning with my PC caucus colleagues to discuss the weekend’s events at Caledonia/Six Nations.

By 2:00 PM Monday, MPPs Jim Wilson, Christine Elliott, and Lisa MacLeod had relayed to the Legislature Premier McGuinty’s lack of leadership, lack of concern, and lack of communication.

Then, during Question Period, Opposition Leader John Tory quizzed the government about the rule of law, and the threat to area electricity.

And by 3:30 PM Monday, we commenced debate on our Opposition Day Motion brought forward by Mr. Tory.  The motion recognized Premier McGuinty’s absence of communication and lack of leadership, and called for an inquiry to find better ways to handle these types of disputes. 

Despite their majority, the McGuinty Liberals allowed the motion to pass- most weren’t paying attention to the debate.  Now, it is the official position of the Legislature that an inquiry needs to be held at the appropriate time.

Caledonia and Six Nations dominated Tuesday as well.  After I explained how the inquiry could improve reaction to future disputes, MPP Norm Miller cut loose on the government for its renewed effort to pass the buck to the federal government.

During Tuesday’s Question Period, my colleagues and I asked fourteen questions about law and order, policing costs, ‘no-go’ zones for the OPP, and support for policing at Six Nations.  Premier McGuinty ruffled everybody’s feathers when he said, “this has gone 99 days largely without incident, without injury and without war.”

I have personally witnessed a number of fist fights and bloodshed- donnybrooks often missed by the lens of the media.  If he had accepted my invitation to come to Caledonia/Six Nations, he would know about the violence, the injuries, and the hard feelings being felt on all sides of the dispute.  The next day, he climbed down and came clean on his position, saying “well, you’re right and I’m wrong…”

On Wednesday and Thursday our interrogation continued- with one statement and fourteen questions being asked by my colleagues on Wednesday, followed by eight questions on Thursday.  MPP John O’Toole and I asked about transportation issues in Caledonia, but the Minister proved unaware of the closed Highway 6 bypass.  She told us the detour was Highway 6 itself!  I took the opportunity to correct her, informing her of the gridlock and traffic chaos downtown- but she didn’t respond.

As the government sleeps, we are getting reports of obstructed access to youth sports at Caledonia and Six Nations.  Twice in the past two weeks, I warned the government about this in the Legislature.  While I understand the frustration felt on all sides, I categorically oppose actions that prevent youth from participating in sports.

All of the above Queen’s Park debate is reported in Hansard, which can be found at www.ontla.on.ca/hansard/index.htm.

I am calling on everybody- on all sides- to respect their neighbours, and plan for the healing process we’ll experience upon resolution.