For immediate release:
December 20, 2006  

Barrett updates Legislature on Caledonia

(Queen’s Park) – After 296 days of occupation at the Douglas Creek Estates subdivision in Caledonia - and as the year draws to a close with no end in sight - Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett highlighted the ongoing situation at Queens Park today.

“Since February 28, the occupation has resulted in chaos and mayhem and, now, fear and intimidation continue as a normal part of daily life,” Barrett stated in the Legislature. “Mr. McGuinty watches and he says, ‘I’m pleased that things are in a more peaceful state these days in Caledonia.’”

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Barrett intoned.
At 1 a.m. this past Sunday, a house on Argyle Street in Caledonia was ransacked by yet-to-be-identified intruders. The intruders smashed and overturned furniture. The intruders urinated in three rooms. The intruders injured the family’s border collie. The intruders spray-painted racist and vulgar expressions on the walls and mirrors.

“On June 16, this government made a promise to people in Caledonia to provide emergency funding for those directly affected,” Barrett reported. “The people of Caledonia continue to ask when this government will stand up for them, when the needed compensation will be forthcoming.”

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629

Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Native Land Dispute
December 20, 2006

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand–Norfolk–Brant): It has now been 296 days of occupation at the Douglas Creek Estates subdivision in Caledonia. And, as we mark the end of 2006, the empty words and lack of leadership of the McGuinty government means no end is in sight for the area.

Since February 28, the occupation has resulted in chaos and mayhem and, now, fear and intimidation continue as a normal part of daily life. Mr. McGuinty watches and he says, “I’m pleased that things are in a more peaceful state these days in Caledonia.” That was said a week ago today.

Nothing could be further from the truth.
At 1 a.m. this past Sunday, a house on Argyle Street in Caledonia was ransacked by yet-to-be-identified intruders. The intruders smashed and overturned furniture. The intruders urinated in three rooms. The intruders injured the family’s border collie. The intruders spray-painted racist and vulgar expressions on the walls and mirrors. For 10 months now, people have been worried about property values, vandalism and noise.

On June 16, this government made a promise to people in Caledonia to provide emergency funding for those directly affected. The act of vandalism this past Sunday is a case in point. Who would buy a house in this market today? The people of Caledonia continue to ask when this government will stand up for them, when the needed compensation will be forthcoming.