Re: Caledonia
The residents of Caledonia have been remarkably patient and resilient despite the continued occupation in their town.
Thousands of letters and phone calls have gone to Premier Dalton McGuinty describing the intimidation, concern and frustration. He has said he has no "magic wand" to end the dispute and he has no intention of visiting Caledonia as his presence would serve "no purpose."
The OPP has admitted publicly they have "dropped the ball" in Caledonia and McGuinty has just kicked it through the uprights.
His refusal to visit Caledonia shows his proficiency at hide and seek. His inability to explain to Caledonia residents why a piece of yellow caution tape is all that marks the difference between law and lawlessness is inexcusable.
Residents are continually told they are not hearing gunshots in their neighbourhoods, there is no danger, there is a no-go zone and negotiations are going well.
We are told the province owns the occupied land but we may not enter onto it or we will be arrested. There is a moratorium on building on the disputed land yet construction continues at the leisure of the occupiers.
It is apparent there was a great lack of foresight by all levels of government to prevent this occupation from developing, despite a documented history of occupations in the Grand River watershed over the last 15 years.
McGuinty has failed to convince Caledonia residents of his government's commitment to ensuring meaningful public safety, law and order, economic stability, real-estate prices, property rights and infrastructure improvements. His government has failed this community miserably, at a cost of only $50 million (and growing) to the Ontario taxpayers.
As with all failure, there are successes as well. McGuinty has successfully coined two phrases: "Just be patient" and "hang in there." He has succeeded in establishing what is arguably North America's only "official" imaginary "no-go zone" policed by a force that has no intention of enforcing it.
Despite the best efforts of McGuinty's government to ignore and repress this community, Caledonia and Haldimand County will move forward.
The resolve of the residents will continue to grow in calling for an end to the occupation. Elections are coming soon and with them a new outlook with fresh ideas that will work to change an untenable situation.