Updated
The Canadian Press
CALEDONIA, Ont. -- Immigration Minister Diane Finley received a bumpy reception during an all-candidates debate Monday in this town hit hard by a festering and at times violent land-claims dispute.
Finley, who is in a tough battle for re-election in the southern Ontario riding of Haldimand-Norfolk, was greeted by tepid applause interspersed with boos by the standing-room only crowd of about 200 people, who packed a local Legion hall to listen to their six candidates.
"I'm proud to be here," the Conservative politician said in her opening comment.
"I don't know why," someone interjected, drawing the wrath of a moderator who made it clear on several occasions that heckling would not be tolerated, even threatening to have one man arrested.
While questions to the candidates included questions about energy, the environment and health care, it was clear most in the crowd had come to hear the candidates' views on the Six Nations dispute.
The dispute boiled over to an occupation of a housing development on the south end of
The loudest cheers and applause were reserved for maverick Gary McHale, who is running as an independent and appears to enjoy solid support among some Caledonians fed up with the ongoing occupation.
"Nobody has been prepared to step forward and help you out but me," said McHale, who has led protests against the occupation.
Echoing a sentiment commonly heard in
"This election is about leadership, not the kind of leadership that shows up every four years and asks for your vote," McHale said.
"I can guarantee you in six months you won't see any of them."
McHale, who has pressed for provincial police to end the occupation, was loudly applauded when he told the audience their Charter rights were being "systematically violated" by a federal government that had failed to defend their interests.
Finley defended the Conservative government's approach, saying
As a result, the feds have made two "very significant" offers in an effort to end a land-claims dispute that dated back 150 years, Finley responded.
"Our government has been involved from the very beginning trying to resolve this situation," she said.
"(But) it won't be resolved overnight."
Also attacking Finley was Eric Hoskins, a doctor who spent years working in developing countries and who is now flying the Liberal standard.
He, too, accused her and other Conservative politicians of hiding in
Hoskins said a Liberal government would end the dispute by referring it to the Federal Land Claims Tribunal for a binding settlement.
The issue must take priority, he said.
"None are as urgent or as pressing as the
"I can feel your frustrations. They don't reflect the
Also running in the riding are New Democrat Ian Nichols, the Green party's Stephana Johnston and Steven Elgersma of the Christian Heritage Party.