For Immediate Release
May 14, 2008

Minister Bryant provides ‘less than fulsome’ answer to local homebuilder

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett brought homebuilder Mike Corrado’s plight with the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) to the floor of the Ontario Legislature today. Barrett’s questions came on the heels of a series of lead questions by Opposition House Leader Bob Runciman on the ‘Caledonia Cover-Up’.

Barrett explained to members during Question Period that local builder Mike Corrado met several weeks ago with HDI, at their request, after protesters had blocked access to his land.

“In addition to a demand for a $3,000 application fee, they also demanded Mr. Corrado transfer title to his property to HDI and to lease it back from them for the next 50 years.” Barrett then asked Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant, “You’re a lawyer, you’re the government – is this not illegal, is this not extortion? More specifically Minister, are homebuilders now required to transfer title of their lands to Six Nations?”

Minister Bryant responded with one word: “No!”

“Mr. Corrado would expect a more fulsome answer,” Barrett told Bryant.

When Barrett asked Bryant whether he agreed with Mr. Corrado asking the OPP to lay criminal charges and to enforce the Criminal Code of Canada, the Minister launched into an explanation of a conversation he has had with Mayor Mike Hancock from the City of Brantford.

Following Question Period, Barrett said: “The Minister was not paying attention and has no idea where Mr. Corrado’s homebuilding site is located.”

For more information please contact
MPP Toby Barrett at: 1-800-903-8629