Candidates focus on Caledonia issues

Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator

(Oct 6, 2008)

The Liberals are fleshing out their plan for dealing with the Caledonia land claims dispute and now say they'll call in a mediator if a deadline to resolve the dispute cannot be met.

The proposal was mentioned Saturday by Liberal candidate Dr. Eric Hoskins at the Cable 14-The Hamilton Spectator TV debate, which was skipped by Haldimand-Norfolk MP and cabinet minister Diane Finley. It was the second all-candidates meeting Finley bowed out of after pulling out of a debate in Dunnville last Thursday. She, however, is still set to attend the debate tonight in Caledonia at 7 p.m. at the legion. She has attended debates in Delhi and Kohler.

Hoskins, who deplored Finley's absence and said it symbolized how she has dealt with the dispute, said if his party's plan to have a six month deadline is met, then it would call in a mediator. Natives occupied a Caledonia housing project in February 2006, claiming it was being built on unsurrendered land. Ottawa says it was surrendered in 1844. Negotiations began in May 2006.

The Liberals also propose daily talks between Six Nations, Ottawa and Queen's Park.

"We can't have another two and half years of no progress and no visibility from the local MP," Hoskins said. Referring to a campaign in Caledonia featuring lawn signs that said, 'Has anyone seen Diane Finley?' Hoskins said, "You will not see any signs that say, 'Where is Eric Hoskins?'"

The debate was also attended by New Democrat Ian Nichols, Green party candidate Stephana Johnston, Independent Gary McHale and Steve Elgersma of the Christian Heritage Party, who called for laws to be subordinated to the "supremacy of God."

McHale, who accuses the OPP of practising two-tier policing in Caledonia by treating natives and townsfolk differently, mocked the Liberals for not dealing with the issue when they were in office before "people went to the hospital and attempted murder was taking place." He said he would not be beholden to any party and would be "dedicated to this riding and this riding alone." Nichols said he would personally attend the negotiations.

On other issues, Hoskins and Nichols said the public would have to decide if they wanted to see a proposal to build a nuclear power plant in Nanticoke become a reality. Otherwise, Nichols said, "You're going to see the people of Haldimand block those roads."

Johnston said she was "definitely against" such an idea. She said it was not "safe" and uranium mining is expensive and "dirty."