Politics

Caledonia, Your Silence is Deafening

By Ted Mitchell
Published November 02, 2006

Occasionally I work near Caledonia. The opinions I hear go something like this:

Some of these points have a hint of truth to them. But, gentle folks along the Grand, you missed one: the big one, and the only one which has a hope of solving your problem:

Where is the federal government in the negotiations?

Okay, so old Dalton is guilty of stirring up the political pot for partisan reasons, but he has a really good point: If you are not brain dead, you know that Native relations and funding are primarily the responsibility of the federal government and always have been.

So, Jim Prentice and Stephen Harper: you can't redefine reality as you want it to be and shirk your responsibility to the Province. Such redefinitions from Ottawa like this or this are a real abandonment and stab in the back for the residents of Caledonia who voted for you.

Caledonia, I know how hard it is to admit being wrong, but don't let the federal Conservatives get away with truthiness. Make some noise on Parliament Hill, because you have personally suffered from giving those jokers the benefit of the doubt for far too long.

Ted Mitchell is a Hamilton resident, emergency physician and sometimes agitator who recently completed a BEng at McMaster University. He is fascinated by aspects of our culture that are harmful, but avoid serious public discussion.

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By markwhittle (registered) - website | Posted November 02, 2006 at 14:56:28

If it has always been the Federal government’s responsibility why did Dalton stick his nose in, botch the whole thing by playing the "Colonialist" and blew $40 million for nothing in return.

As the Minister said, they have always been at the negotiating table while Dalton played games. Now he realizes his election chances will be effected he blames the Federal government, as if we should pay twice for his mistakes and lack of leadership.

When Dalton admits he has failed the Taxpayers of Caledonia, perhaps then he will step aside and allow the O.P.P. to do the Job they started.

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By Ted Mitchell (registered) | Posted November 02, 2006 at 16:33:56

Ah, good points, and I do not disagree.

But this is not in any way an answer to why the feds did not get involved from the start.

In fact, it is likely they thanked McGuinty for dealing with what they did not want to (being black-and-white thinkers, this does not do wonders for negotiation skills)

All 3 levels of government have a role, but the federal government's is primary here. The comment above does not even partly address that fact.

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By Connie (registered) | Posted March 10, 2007 at 01:44:36

Mark I do disagree with your comments. You wish for a violent and brutal end to the reclamation, it is clear. However, the issues will remain unresolved and festering.

The aboriginal communities across Canada are united in their determination that this is where the buck stops being passed ... now. Perhaps you are unaware of the blockades and other actions that have occurred in support of Six Nations. Any further police action in Caledonia will quite possibly put us in a civil war all across the country.

I really think your 'solutions' need a little further 'tuning' before they will be of any help to anyone.

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