For immediate release:
May 30, 2007

How safe is Caledonia’s Notre Dame school?
Is there a cover-up of AK-47 incident near school grounds: Barrett

Queen’s Park—“Dalton McGuinty went to court to legalize the land occupation at Caledonia and now school safety is in jeopardy” -- MPP Toby Barrett

Local MPP Toby Barrett explained to the Ontario Legislature that an AK-47 assault rifle was spotted near Notre Dame school in Caledonia, before being used in an attempted murder just minutes south of town.

“The incident began with an exchange at the land reclamation site near the Thistlemoor St. entrance Thursday afternoon during which VanEvery threatened another man in his late twenties with an AK-47 rifle,” Barrett quoted from the Turtle Island News. “The Thistlemoor barricade is right beside Notre Dame School,” Barrett explained.

“The Tekawennake also indicates the AK-47 was previously seen near the school,” Barrett continued. “I quote – ‘the shooter did somehow manage to bring the weapon onto the site undetected by site security who were busy dealing with another incident at the time’.”

Barrett’s statement in the Legislature filled a gap in reporting on the land occupation, letting the entire province know what has been covered by the two local media outlets.

“An AK-47 assault rifle right beside an elementary school in Caledonia,” Barrett said before being cut off by the speaker. “Will Dalton McGuinty deal with this, or cover it up?

“An eight foot wooden fence won’t stop a stray bullet,” Barrett went on to say outside the legislature. “This issue can’t be covered up any longer.”

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