For immediate release:
November 22, 2006

Barrett demands delivery of Caledonia compensation
It’s time for McGuinty government to stop passing the buck on its promise: Barrett

Queen’s Park—During today’s Question Period, MPP Toby Barrett reminded the Minister of Municipal Affairs that he is 156 days late on his promise to compensate Caledonia homeowners.

“You promised in a news release to compensate Caledonia homeowners and to have detailed recommendations within three days,” Barrett reminded the Minister. “It’s now been 159 days—no recommendations, no money.”

“Have you no self-respect? Why will you not stop passing the buck?” Barrett asked. “Why did you promise compensation if you have no intention of keeping your word?”

On June 16 – at the height of the crisis in Caledonia – the Minister of Municipal Affairs promised to compensate Caledonia homeowners directly affected by the blockade. But today in the Legislature, the Minister confused his promise of compensation with a separate commitment made by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

“If McGuinty had no intention of delivering the compensation package, he shouldn’t have announced it in the first place,” Barrett said after Question Period. “It’s an outrage for the government to make promises in the heat of the moment, but to back away once things calm down.”

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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

November 22, 2006
Native Land Dispute

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand–Norfolk–Brant): I have a question to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Minister, you’re aware of the McGuinty strategy of saying anything to get elected. After all, you were the first member of the promise breakers’ club by allowing housing on the Oak Ridges moraine. On June 16 you enhanced your legacy. You promised in a news release to compensate Caledonia homeowners and to have detailed recommendations within three days. It’s now been 159 days—no recommendations, no money.

I have a letter from a Caledonia homeowner. They sold their house. I quote: “I had no choice but to accept an offer $25,000 below bank appraisal ... Now I wish to be compensated....” Minister, will this homeowner be compensated, or is this yet another McGuinty broken promise?

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): I thank the member very much for the question that he has just posed. As he well knows, a number of different ministers and ministry people have been meeting with the committee in Caledonia. I had a meeting with the mayor there some time ago, and with a number of other people as well, to make sure that the program that is going to be put in place is going to be beneficial to all those individuals who were affected in one way or another by what’s happening in Caledonia. We’re working on the details of that particular program, and that program will be announced as soon as it’s available.

Mr. Barrett: Minister, your news release was last June. This is all about your credibility. I have your news release right here. This message is on your letterhead: “Assistance will go to households directly affected by the blockade.”

Minister, you received a letter from my constituent. He lives next door to the occupied site. I quote: “I was both shocked and annoyed when I was told we were not directly affected by the occupation.

“The value of our property has gone down to ground zero. The buyout of Douglas Creek ... land has directly affected the future property value of our home.”

Minister, you didn’t answer. You just sent this letter to Minister Ramsay. Minister, you’ve created a false hope by giving a false promise. Have you no self-respect? Why will you not stop passing the buck? Why did you promise compensation if you have no intention of keeping your word?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: As the member well knows, there has been a business recovery plan in place that was looked after by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, who was immediately on the scene when this happened back in the spring. There has also been a counselling program to assist those individuals who in one way or another felt that they were physically or emotionally affected by the goings-on that are happening in Caledonia. We are working on the plans as well for the recovery program, as we set out in our release of June 16. It will happen.