For immediate release:
April 26, 2006

Barrett/Hudak submit Caledonia petitions
Let’s send the government a message: Barrett

Queen’s Park—MPPs Toby Barrett and Tim Hudak submitted petitions calling for leadership in the Caledonia land dispute, yesterday in the Ontario Legislature.

“I have a petition titled ‘we demand leadership in land dispute’ directed towards the Legislative Assembly of Ontario,” Barrett told the Legislature.  “These names were collected last night, and I affix my signature to this.”

A few minutes later, Hudak- neighbouring MPP for Erie Lincoln- rose in the House and followed Barrett’s lead.

“Dalton McGuinty knew about the Caledonia land dispute for over a year, but has chosen to ignore it,” said Hudak outside the Legislature.  “This dispute stems from Premier McGuinty’s lack of leadership and his ‘don’t worry be happy’ attitude.” 

“As an opposition MPP, I have a limited number of tools I can use to influence the provincial government to come to the table in the Caledonia land dispute,” Barrett later said.  “I’m using them all- petitions, questions to Ministers, phone calls to stakeholders and government officials, and repeated visits to all sides in the local communities impacted by this situation.”

Yesterdays petitions were signed by 195 people.  More copies can be found at Barrett’s constituency office or in a number of local businesses that have agreed to post them for the public.

“Ultimately people on all sides are demanding the government to fix this situation,” Barrett concluded.  “Hopefully these petitions will up the ante.”

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