The failure of the OPP to adequately protect the public during last Friday's violent incidents in Caledonia is inexcusable and would have been unimaginable in our town four months ago. The refusal to intervene in violent aggression goes against every moral value I grew up with and every legal principle of free societies.
Even more unimaginable is that the occupiers attempted to climb a chain-link fence and enter the schoolyard of Notre Dame Catholic School while children and teachers were on the grounds during lunch hour. This resulted in the children being removed from the playground. If this does not constitute an imminent threat to public safety, I don't know what does.
I witnessed the standoff later that evening and well into the early morning hours. Booming drums and warrior yells terrorized the neighbourhood and could be heard for miles.
I spoke with parents of Notre Dame students who seemed at their wit's end. People wept as the events of the day overwhelmed them. There was no way to know what could happen that night, but based on the day's events, it was within the realm of probability to expect a full-scale invasion of the school property and neighbourhood by imported native warriors. Police officers I spoke with that night said they were "in fear of a bloodbath."
As a father and Caledonia resident, I have witnessed enough these past four months. I have been patient, as requested by my government, hoping it would finally step up to the plate. I cannot believe this could happen to our schools and our children -- while the police stood idly by. The residents are angry and exhausted.
The teachers of Notre Dame Catholic School could invoke their legal right to refuse to go to work. They would be justified to assume that their workplace represents a danger under the Workplace Occupational Health and Safety Act (Bill 70).
The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board should respect and support any teacher who refuses to work. The board must recognize a real danger exists for the teachers and the children.
The media need to take a more in-depth approach to reporting the hardships and fears of those on the front lines of this dispute.
All residents of Caledonia should demand that the county build a better fence on the south side of the school and the homes that are subjected to this constant barrage day and night.
The police officers on the front line need to do their sworn duty to uphold the law.
MP Diane Finley should resign --why postpone the inevitable? Her lack of leadership is remarkable.
Finally, OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface, Premier Dalton McGuinty and any MPP of the Liberal party need to look at this mess and re-examine if this policy of appeasement is working. If the answer is yes, they need to step aside and allow stronger forces to put an end to this lawlessness once and for all.
-- Rick Vanderwyk, Caledonia