For Immediate Release
March 13, 2009

Government MPP’s fall in line to oppose Caledonia inquiry

Queen’s Park – Yesterday the Liberal majority fulfilled Premier McGuinty’s presumptive demands yesterday in standing against MPP Barrett’s, “Truth About Caledonia Act, 2009”, and its call for a public inquiry.

Government members answered the bell and filed in 39 strong to defeat the Haldimand-Norfolk representative’s bill – this after the Premier announced that he would not allow an inquiry to go ahead four hours before Mr. Barrett introduced his bill.

“Clearly, our Premier has jeopardized this process. I remind the Premier this is private members' hour: It's part of our time-honoured democratic process,” stated Barrett as he kicked off debate. “In the words of Alfred Tennyson, today I feel I'm perhaps part of the charge of the light brigade - the ill-fated brigade that stormed on to a predetermined defeat. They fought on, despite the tragic destiny that awaited.”

Barrett’s bill called for an inquiry into the administration of justice, law enforcement and property rights within the former Haldimand tract and nearby areas. The preamble to the legislation cites allegations raised with respect to political influence in the court's administration of justice and in the enforcement of the law by police. As Barrett stated, “Area residents also want to determine the truth with respect to the ownership of the various lands in dispute.”

Barrett’s caucus colleagues, Ernie Hardeman and Peter Shurmann spoke to the bill, with Shurmann attacking the Premier’s premature veto “…if the Premier is going to pre-empt private members' business, what's the point?”

As government members began to assemble in the lobby to vote down Barrett’s bill, Government whip Dave Levac rallied his troops against a Caledonia inquiry.

“I stand to tell you: I will not be supporting this bill. I think it's ill-advised,” Levac stated. “I want to know if the members on the other side want to support the petition that was sent around. In this petition, you talked about firing Fantino before you even had anything to say, before your inquiry.”

Barrett also referred to Caledonia resident Ken Hewitt’s petition as he anticipated the second part of Tennyson’s poem.

“following the light brigade…. there was the charge of the heavy brigade, and I look forward to the spring,” Barrett reported. “There will be a large number of people from Caledonia descending on Queen's Park - there's a petition out there right now; there are 7,000 signatures calling for a police inquiry with respect to Caledonia.”

- 30 –

For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629