Where Freedom Prevails and Justice Rules
As many will know, an MPP’s day in the Ontario Legislature commences with prayer – the Lord’s Prayer and the Speaker’s Prayer.
As we reflect on the second unhappy anniversary of the Caledonia subdivision occupation, the closing words of the Speaker’s Prayer come to mind:
“Inspire us to decisions which establish and maintain a land of prosperity and righteousness where freedom prevails and where justice rules.”
People living and doing business within the former Haldimand Tract, and beyond, have been subjected to arson, extortion, barricades, land seizures, occupations, militant protests, and related harassment, intimidation, mob violence and threats to public safety over the past two years.
This has to end.
The result is that the community safety, social and economic life, of Haldimand and neighbouring residents, has declined because of the climate of fear, chaos and uncertainty generated by various acts of lawlessness and related intimidation.
There is a perception and people cite evidence, of two categories of law, of justice, of police protection, and government action based on one’s race and geographical location within Haldimand County and beyond.
The lawlessness, and the less than adequate prevention and response on the part of police and other government authorities regarding these illegal acts appears to be tolerated, and perhaps condoned, by provincial and federal government policy.
People I represent request a return to peace, order and good government.
Both the provincial and federal governments have legislative, regulatory, enforcement, decision-making and policy-making capability beyond the mandate and scope of Haldimand County. I request, with utmost urgency, that the following actions be taken where mandated at the provincial and federal level:
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Restore police patrol, response and enforcement as well as justice, order and the rule of law, including court injunctions, throughout Haldimand County regardless of one’s race or geographical location. |
| 2 |
Cease all land dispute negotiations and related actions until extortion, and illegal occupations and protests are terminated. |
| 3 |
Budget and publicly set timelines and deadlines to continue to resolve legitimate land disputes expeditiously within a climate of openness, mutual respect, and justice for all affected. |
| 4 |
Compensate individuals, businesses and the municipality for loss, insecurity, economic decline, and any other collateral damage stemming from provincial and federal decisions and policy, or lack thereof, that have eroded peace, order and good government in Haldimand County and beyond. |
Leader John Tory and I held a news conference in Toronto, February 13, where we talked about the breakdown of the rule of law in Ontario. John Tory is the only leader who has had the courage to draw attention to, and request an end to, this kind of lawlessness in our province -- most importantly in Caledonia.
People in Ontario simply cannot go on seeing double standards, governments looking the other way while laws are broken and police officers hamstrung to enforce the law within the policy climate created by the McGuinty government.
We need to see consistency, one standard for all, some real leadership from Mr. McGuinty based on principle.
People have barely endured the past year, let alone the past two years.
The lawlessness we’ve seen in Caledonia is not the only example but it’s the worst one of a growing trend of disrespect for the law. This has to end
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