For Immediate Release
January 23, 2007
McGuinty is playing ‘divide
and conquer’ with Caledonia residents
Secret meetings intended to deflect blame on overdue compensation
promise
Kenora—Despite promising to compensate
Caledonia homeowners more than seven months ago, the McGuinty government
is now holding secret meetings that will pose as community consultation,
MPP Toby Barrett has learned.
“At the height of the tension at Caledonia/Six Nations, the McGuinty
government promised to compensate homeowners,” Barrett said. “Seven
months have passed, and residents still haven’t seen a dime.”
Barrett made his remarks from Kenora, where the Finance Committee was
holding public consultations on the upcoming provincial budget. In contrast,
the McGuinty government required participants in the recent Caledonia
meetings to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
On June 16, 2006, the McGuinty government promised to compensate ‘individuals
and families who were the most directly affected by the blockade and occupation.’
Yet, on December 21, 2006, Minister Ramsay was quoted saying, “…this
is not just an issue for those immediately impacted homeowners but also
an issue for the community as a whole.”
Despite Minister Ramsay’s indication the community at large has
been consulted, Minister Gerretsen is insisting on keeping the public
out of the consultation process.
“I tend to favour a town-hall style forum rather than requiring
participants to sign non-disclosure agreements,” Barrett said. “The
Premier is trying to divide the community by holding closed meetings and
muzzling the participants. I hope he doesn’t blame the participants
of the meetings if the compensation package leaves portions of the community
without any funding.
“After dithering and delaying on the promised compensation for more
than seven months, the McGuinty government still hasn’t delivered
any money for local homeowners,” Barrett concluded. “Whenever
government holds secret meetings on public issues, it’s worrisome
– I fear that Premier McGuinty’s political considerations
require a local group that can be blamed for looming disappointment with
the promised compensation.”
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For more information, please contact
MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446
or 1-800-903-8629
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