For immediate release
December 4, 2007

Barrett asks who's in charge at Caledonia??

Still no answers from a government that holds itself unaccountable

Queen's Park-MPP Toby Barrett echoed the questions of Caledonia area residents today by the Ontario Legislature in asking the McGuinty Government "Who is in charge" regarding the Caledonia land dispute.

"There have been confrontations in Caledonia resulted in people being knocked unconscious and sent to the hospital," Barrett asserted. "I receive countless phone calls and e-mails asking me one specific
question: Who's in charge??? Who is in charge of the OPP???"

The Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services (formerly known as the Solicitor General), Rick Bartolucci, failed to directly answer the question, instead choosing to state that he is "very, very pleased with the way the OPP has acted." Barrett went on to again highlight the Minister's responsibility according the Police Services Act.

"In Section 17(2), the Ontario Police Services Act states that the OPP is subject to the Solicitor General's direction," cited Barrett.
"Minister, do you agree - or perhaps you do not agree with the police act, that you have ministerial responsibility for setting direction for the OPP? Are you the one - or are you not the one my constituents can go to with respect to democratic responsibility concerning OPP services in Caledonia?"

Once again the Minister attempted to dodge the question, this time suggesting that if Barrett is suggesting government interfere then he is "dead wrong".

Following Question Period, Barrett noted that given the stakes and the growing injury count, it is high time for the McGuinty government to be held to account on Caledonia.

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