For immediate release:
April 22, 2009

Barrett confirms: Grand River land disputes not on McGuinty radar

Queen’s Park – Dalton McGuinty was caught flat-footed this morning when local MPP Toby Barrett asked what the government had negotiated in return for the 378 acres of land being transferred to Haudenosaunee Six Nations.

“I must say I’m not familiar with the details of this,” the Premier said. “I’ve just been handed a note. It’s a rather extensive note. I could read from that, Speaker, but I think as a courtesy to my colleague what I can do is undertake to look into this appropriately and get back to him.”

Barrett was referring to Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) land at the former Burtch Correction Centre. In May 2007, government negotiators offered up Burtch as part of a $125 million proposal to settle four outstanding Six Nations land disputes.

Area people are concerned that this transfer of ORC land will set a precedent for a long list of other properties adjacent to Six Nations, or in the area that has been discussed. The list includes: Sprucedale Correctional Centre, a former OPP office and a horticultural research farm all near Simcoe; the Jarvis and Canfield MTO yards; the Cayuga Courthouse; Rock Point Provincial Park, Selkirk Provincial Park, 700 acres in South Cayuga and 1,400 acres in Townsend.

“Not to mention Douglas Creek Estates, which you purchased -- ORC land next to Caledonia that hosts the smoke shack,” Barrett reminded McGuinty. “The concern is, does the Burtch transfer set a precedent? Are these other Ontario Realty Corp. properties on the table?”

The Haldimand-Norfolk MPP is now waiting to hear what the province/taxpayers will receive in return for the transfer of the Burtch property and whether or not these other properties are part of negotiations.

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Aboriginal land dispute

Mr. Toby Barrett: A question to the Premier. Your government is transferring title for the 378 acres of Ontario Realty Corp. land at the former Burtch Correctional Centre. The title is being transferred to the Haudenosaunee Six Nations. In May 2007 your government negotiators offered up Burtch as part of a $125-million proposal to settle four outstanding Six Nations land disputes. My question: What did your government negotiate in return for handing over the 378 acres at Burtch?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I must say I’m not ...

L138-1125-22 follows
(Mr. Barrett)
My question: Premier, what did your government negotiate in return for handing over the 378 acres at Burtch?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I must say I’m not familiar with the details of this. I’ve just been handed a note. It’s a rather extensive note. I could read from that, Speaker, but I think as a courtesy to my colleague what I can do is undertake to look into this appropriately and get back to him.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Toby Barrett: Further to my question, the neighbours are concerned about the precedent that the transfer of this ORC land would set. For example, there are other Ontario Realty Corp. properties adjacent to Six Nations in the area that have been brought up in the negotiations. Some of the properties were put under a development freeze for several years. For example: Sprucedale Correctional Centre, a former OPP office and a horticultural research farm all near Simcoe; the Jarvis and Canfield MTO yards; the Cayuga Courthouse; Rock Point Provincial Park, Selkirk Provincial Park. There’s 4,700 acres in South Cayuga and 1,400 acres in Townsend—all ORC property—not to mention Douglas Creek Estates, which you purchased. ORC land next to Caledonia that hosts the smoke shack.

The concern is, does the Burtch transfer set a precedent? Are these other Ontario Realty Corp. properties—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I thank my colleague for the question. I think he’s laid it out in a fulsome way, and I undertake to get him a fulsome answer as well.