Caledonia citizens get back at Bryant

For anyone following the Caledonia debacle, this post by Jonathan Kay is excellent. It has links to several recent events including Michael Bryant's pathetic use of YouTube as a PR forum for communicating with residents.

Well the townsfolk have returned the favour. Videos can be found here. (The Spectator suggests trying here).

Psst, Rick Mercer... I see skit potential here!

Good on the National Post for continuing to be one of the few MSM voices supporting the citizens of Caledonia and the theory of a non-discriminatory police and justice system - even if it doesn't exist in Ontario at the present time.

Dalton to the ROC - Chip in for Caledonia!

Are you guys outside of Ontario alright with Dalton McGuinty clamoring for more money to offset the $50 million tab for Caledonia (which is actually closer to $54 million)?

Remember now, he bought the land. The Province of Ontario now owns it. Negotiations continue even though the land is occupied.

Bear in mind too, that the Feds already gave Dalton $26 million of your hard-earned tax dollars last year to help offset Caledonia costs, and this problem has no end in sight.

Michael Bryant calls it "...the cost of keeping the peace".

Do you agree to foot this bill, ROC?

* * * *

Update - Message from a reader in comments:

Dalton, from Alberta...get stuffed! Your inaction and inability to bring this issue to resolution is your problem, do not depend on Canadian taxpayers to bail out the incompetence of you and your government.

* * * *

Wednesday Update: More bad news for my reader from Alberta by the Sun's Christina Blizzard - Another slap for Ontario:

...Meanwhile, remember how Ontarians used to joke that if you wanted to see this province's tax dollars at work, you had to go to Newfoundland? Guess now, Albertans will have to come to T.O. to see how we're spending their transfer largesse.

Howdy, y'all.

If Dalton really does have federal leadership aspirations, and ends up being Prime Minister one day, I wonder who he'll blame for his incompetence? And where will the money come from to throw at the unions and other highly influential special interest groups?

A good leader knows when to say NO!!!



And read this one. You won't believe it. Six Nations' $1 Billion based on 'legal rules' (Spectator):

Six Nations says it has used Canadian legal principles the corporate world would employ to come up with the $1 billion it claims it's owed for the flooding of land it once controlled in Dunnville in 1829.

Calculations are "based upon Canadian legal principles and are fair and reasonable," said lawyer Aaron Detlor, an adviser to Six Nations negotiators in talks with Ottawa and Queen's Park.

"If you were Coca-Cola, this is what they would do. If you were Wal-Mart, this is what you would do..."

Also see Halls of Macadamia - Like Federal, like Provincial.

$54 Million and counting

The Record pegs the cost of the Caledonia dispute at $54 million at the second year mark, with no end in sight.

All new land development along the Grand River watershed, including various Waterloo Regional bridge construction projects could be highjacked by the demands of the HDI, which has obviously been emboldened by the lack of consequences for law-breakers.

And the Post notes that this attitude appears to be extending into car-theft industries, and other illegal undertakings.

Yet the McGuinty government looks the other way when it comes to law-enforcement, which is under Provincial jurisdiction.

And then Dalton gets angry when Jim Flaherty tells him that Ontario is not the best province in which to invest?

Duh!

The truth hurts, doesn't it?

Beyond frustration

Today is the Second Anniversary of the Caledonia dispute, and my frustration with the McGuinty government has reached its zenith.

First we have the arrogant Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant responding to the HDI extortion policy with the following:

"My experience with developers . . . is they didn't just fall off the turnip truck,'' Bryant said. "They know very well what the rules are and the laws are. The only fees that need to be paid are paid to municipalities. That is the law.''

So what the flick does that mean? If they were farmers, then you'd step in and help?

He maintains that "It's up to the police, not the province, to intervene and press charges."

Well everyone who didn't just fall off a turnip truck knows that the OPP has to follow the mandate of the McGuinty Government, which has been so intimidated by a fear of an Ipperwash reoccurrence, that it has effectively castrated Julian Fantino and the OPP in terms of any power to enforce the law regarding native disruptions.

This story alone could take up the whole post, but it's hard on my blood pressure to dwell on it too long.



So we'll move onto Health Minister George Smitherman, who feels the need to announce several times that he's going to wear a diaper to test out the modern incontinence products.

Pull-eeze! Spare us the gruesome mental images and just do something about those poor seniors sitting in their own waste in nursing homes!! We're talking about human dignity here.

And if the Liberals are so into first-hand experiencing of problems, why hasn't McGuinty gone to Caledonia yet? Or Fantino for that matter?



Finally, I am sick and tired of Dalton McGuinty's knee-jerk response of pointing his finger at Ottawa whenever a reporter or taxpayer raises an issue.

For example, he is in shock that the Feds aren't going to bail him out of the manufacturing crisis in Ontario, which Jim Flaherty suggests could be eased somewhat with provincial corporate tax cuts.


McGuinty refutes this suggestion stating:

Mr. McGuinty said it is easy for the federal government to cut taxes because it is awash in cash.

"We're in a slightly different situation here," he said.

No kidding - Because the high costs of a continual policy of appeasement, incompetence and bending over will catch up with you in the end.



He's great at giving out holidays, banning stuff and taking away prayers though.

* * * *

Update: Jeff Allan is discussing this issue right now, and suggested in his opening rant that maybe we need UN peacekeepers right here in Ontario. Right on, Jeff!!


Jeff found this remark particularly disturbing:

"We're simply not in a situation in history any longer where Canadian governments are going to dictate solely to First Nations how and what is going to be done on First Nations land,'' Detlor said.

John Tory was just on and said we shouldn't be negotiating while these extortion tactics continue.

* * * *

RESOURCES:

Expositor - Caledonia at a glance. Excellent history of the whole sad story. Check out the $$$.

Spectator - No going back. First of a three-part series.

Friday Update: Spectator - $54 million: Total cost of Caledonia dispute.

On McGuinty's finger-pointing solutions - Flaherty wins allies in Ontario attack (Globe)

Hopeless in Ontario

Lots of native issues in the news today.

Hope Bay cottagers have launched a $50-million lawsuit against both the federal government and the Nawash band council.

Meanwhile folks in Caledonia are asking the question, "If Sam Gualtieri had died when he was attacked by a pack of goons last year, would Premier Dawlton McGuinty have come down for his funeral?" This and other questions are on the minds of residents, according to the Sun's Joe Warmington.

...Sam is no longer a homebuilder because since he was ambushed he has lost his business, can't drive, is constantly dizzy, is unable to remember very much of the past and still has difficulty speaking.

He was a champion bowler who has nailed five perfect games but now can only dream about getting enough rehab to return to the lanes.

"It is very frustrating," Sam said in his first interview since the incident last September. "I just find myself with tears coming out of my eyes for no reason."

Another question that came up in my visit to Caledonia yesterday was: Has McGuinty forgotten about Caledonia?

John Tory had the best line of the day. "He hasn't forgotten I guarantee you. It is on his conscience."

So what is the Federal Government doing about this one, you ask?

Well, they have put two offers on the table and are still waiting for a response.


If Dalton McGuinty wonders why Ontario is going down the tubes, he might look in the mirror instead of pointing his finger at Ottawa.

* * * *

Related: $26m offer to natives a mystery - Spectator.

Six Nations counter-offer for land claims coming - Spectator. "It could be $100 million"...

Native Issues Update

For anyone who might be under the false assumption that the Federal Government isn't doing anything regarding native claims, there is in fact a Six Nations meeting going on this evening to discuss a $26 million offer from Ottawa to settle a compensation claim from 1829. Reports available from the Spectator and the Record.


Also, Chief Patrick Brazeau had an excellent letter to the editor in today's Post:

...It is time for Canada to move beyond an archaic position of aboriginal affairs that is rooted in Victorian paternalism that aimed to deal with "the Indian problem," as it was termed in the day. To do so, calls for many to act: Parliament, the machinery of government that often resists progressive change, the national aboriginal leadership and, most importantly, this country's aboriginal peoples.

We have a moral duty and an obligation to act now on behalf of those who seek a better life off-reserve. As a wise man once said, "If not us, whom? If not now, when?"

I have great respect for Chief Brazeau, is the National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. He advocates for off-reserve natives, but challenges all natives to strive for greater self-sufficiency.

Saturday's Post included a great piece by Julie Smythe about Chief Brazeau - Shaking up Canada's native establishment. Well worth the read.

Also please check out the Brazman's blog, Chief Chat. You'll find a respectful discussion going on with natives from both on and off-reserve, as well as non-natives such as myself who are seeking a greater understanding of the problems and challenges that Canadian aboriginals face today.

* * * *

Wednesday Update: Chuck Strahl has a letter in today's Post - Canada is helping urban natives.

How Ipperwash emasculated Ontario

Yesterday's National Post contained an illuminating article by lawyer John Findlay ('Sacrificial lambs at the altar of Ipperwash'), regarding a class action suit he is bringing against 'former OPP Comissioner Gwen Boniface, the former Haldimand provincial police detachment commander and the Ontario Government, on behalf of several businesses and property owners in Caledonia'. (Thanks to Just Right or I might have missed it.)

Anyway, it is a comprehensive account of the whole Caledonia story, as well as being a real eye-opener concerning the lame attitudes of government and police as they cower in fear over the ramifications of the Ipperwash inquiry and strip non-natives of money and rights in the process.

But holding Ipperwash up as the Holy Grail on which to base all future native policy is not only disingenuous, it is also unworkable.

- Disengenuous, because as John Findlay pointed out, "The Ipperwash situation was unique. The disputed land at Ipperwash was located on rural land that had been used by the government. At Caledonia, by contrast, the occupation has taken place in a heavily populated area on land that has been in private hands for over 150 years."

- Unworkable because this spineless attitude of backing off no matter what, means that nothing can be built along the Grand River without fear of the project being taken over a dissenting native group, and everyone is well aware there will be no consequences for any law-breakers. This cannot continue in a democracy.

Finally, Mr. Findlay suggests that the real culprits here are the bureaucrats, politicians and police who are unable to "distinguish between the criminals and the responsible members of the native community."

By doing so they have not only disrespected the rights of all Ontario citizens, but have also played a role in promoting racism and stereotyping.

It is unacceptable.

They get letters

The editorial in today's National Post is a sample of the collective voice of citizens affected by the disruption in Caledonia. On Saturday, the Post invited readers from the Caledonia area to send in their stories and this is the result - Caledonia's pain -- in our readers' words.

Good on the Post for taking up the cause for freedom of speech and the rule of law in a province that turns a blind eye to extortion and lawlessness.

Now how's that for a reality-based editorial, Warren?

The National Post takes on the fight for justice and equality

The National Post is fighting for the return of the rule of law in Ontario - The coward at Queen's Park:

The Post reams Dalton McGuinty for his wimpy attitude regarding what amounts to a native "extortion racket" (their words):

...It is a case study in cowardice, and everyone who voted for Mr. McGuinty should be ashamed of it...

But the Post has scorn for the opposition parties too:

...Much as we are proud to take this issue on, we find it astonishing that it falls to a newspaper to air the grievances emanating from a patch of Canadian territory that a provincial government has surrendered wholesale to thugs.

The saddest part is that the disgrace here is bipartisan: This is not merely an indictment of Ontario's governing Liberals, but also the opposition Conservatives. In the face of Mr. McGuinty's spinelessness, the best John Tory's party could do was suggest bringing civil lawsuits to try to recover lost income. Among other things, this is a pathetic microcosm of why Mr. Tory can't win an election....

Good for the Post. They're all cowards - The politicians, the OPP; the whole lot of them.

And where is David Crombie? The Federal Government? The Federal opposition parties? (See? I'm slamming everyone today.)

Readers are invited to send their personal accounts of how this issue has affected their lives to letters@nationalpost.com.

I invite any of my readers who voted Liberal in the past election to please tell me what the *&%# you were thinking???


Time for the grassroots to take back the province.

* * * *

Related: 'Real Warrior hold jobs' - Post.

Ottawa Citizen - Halt more aboriginal funding until accountability is in place: Group

Another case for the HRC?

Warren Kinsella seems a bit offended by the tone of today's National Post editorial.

He finds it too angry. I knew we had "thought police" in Canada, but emotion police too?

Warren dredges up that tired, old Mike Harris meme, in an attempt to chastise the Post for displaying 'explosions of anger'.

What he doesn't seem to realize is that any so-called anger or frustration isn't directed at the natives, but rather at his beloved Premier, for shrugging his shoulders and abandoning the developers without any kind of tangible support.

* * * *

Friday Update: Six Nations shirking rule of law: Developers. (Post)

"Where the hell is the law and order here?"

For some reason, only part of the print article appears online. An important paragraph has been omitted:

But developers say if they don't pay, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ontario government won't step in to help them when their projects are taken over by an occupation.

This is what you elected, Ontario. Congratulations.


Great letter in Friday's Post:

The Grand River Haudenosaunee problem might be resolved by allowing a 100% tax credit to developers and other property owners forced to pay protection money to native bands. The resulting loss of tax revenue, plus any policing costs, would be deducted from the nominal $9-billion paid by the Canadian taxpayer to aboriginals every year.

This arrangement would keep defenceless property owners from being harmed via direct intimidation by native protesters and place the onus to resolve the conflict back with the government.

Roger Jones, Thornhill, Ont.

- A very creative solution!

* * * *

BTW, Irene Mathyssen better not check out Warren's blog. She may be offended.

Regarding our HRC's - This is a slam-dunk: David Warren - The closed minds of today's intellectuals:

"I think the Pope's visit is not a good thing because science doesn't need religion. The university is open to every form of thought but religion isn't," said Andrea Sterbini, a computer-science professor who was one of 67 academic signatories of a document protesting the pope's visit.

In those two sentences my reader may see exposed the grounding assumption of every politically correct proposition in the postmodern, so-called liberal mind. The speaker assumes there is an official "open-minded" position that must be protected by law or force. He then insists on banning any deviation from this official "open-minded" position...

Rule of law vs. PR needs of a 'gutless government'

Premier Dalton McGuinty is under fire in today's National Post for allowing Haudenosaunee Development Institute, which is essentially a "commercial protection racket", to continue to sidestep the negotiating table and the rule of law - Caledonia redux.

McGuinty acknowledges that it is illegal, but does nothing to enforce the law. Fantino stated yesterday, that his mandate continues to be to simply 'keep the peace' regarding aboriginal issues.

Yesterday, Premier Dalton McGuinty said no one should be paying development fees to the HDI. "We don't recognize development fees being charged by anyone but municipalities. I understand there is a land claim here that predates Confederation, and I think everybody understands there is a fundamental issues of difference here between First Nations community and the federal government, but I think we also need to understand there is a way to resolve these things, there is a table there. "My advice to anybody is not to pay those [development fees]."

Yet when developers try to ignore the 'shakedown' tactics of the HDI, bad things happen:

But not all have been so receptive. Mike Quattrociocchi, president of Mayberry Homes, said he was invited to a meeting with the HDI after work on an eight-unit townhouse complex in Brantford was halted by protesters.

He said he was told that for a 4% cut of his $1.2-million project, a $7,000 application fee and an agreement that he could lease the land back from the Six Nations for 999 years, his work site was "less likely" to be the target of protest.

"What I said to them, was, 'If you guys were Italian, it would be called the Mafia,' " said Mr. Quattrociocchi, a former city councillor. "It's nothing more than extortion, pure and simple. It's, 'You pay up or we're going to stop you.' "

After his refusal , Mr. Quattrociocchi said construction was interrupted six times, he was pushed two months behind schedule and he probably lost more money than he would have paid.

"I'm not paying any fees for development I have a legal right to with my land titles," Mr. Quattrociocchi said. "I really, really resent being used as a pawn in this political game of extortion to get the government to take notice."

Even Six Nations spokeswoman Janie Jamieson seems baffled by the existence of the HDI, and questions its legitimacy:

...If accepted is the $26 million to be funneled to the Haudenosaunee Development Institute? What is HDI? The name implies it is an agent for ALL Haudenosaunee. Very misleading.

Who is Aaoron Detlor, head of HDI? He is not a Six Nations of the Grand community member, yet he has so much voice and influence regarding our future generations.

My husband and I were recently told the land issue happening now at Six Nations is a Grand River Issue and does not concern other Ogwehowe territories. Yet, this Institute calls itself Haudenosaunee.

The name Haudenosaunee Development Institute itself is an oxymoron. When did our people, the Haudenosaunee agree to become institutionalized to develop land? A total contradiction. According to our Great Law, being Ogwehowe or Haudenosaunee is about land protection and land preservation, not land development....

Kahentinetha Horn of MNN does not appear to be a big fan either.


As the Post editorial states in its conclusion, "The rule of law must take precedence over the PR needs of a gutless government"



But hey. . . At least we don't have any of that nasty Faith-based funding, right?

Here in Lemmingrad, that's all that matters.

* * * *

Update: More from Halls of Macadamia.

Christian Conservative - "Don't pay royalties to HDI": McGuinty.

Also check out these comments from the above-noted Post link:

Kim Fullerton, a lawyer who has handled many aboriginal land claims cases in Ontario, has never heard of an organization quite like it.

"It's radical. It's audacious," he said. "I think what you're really seeing is that First Nations are saying that they want to participate in the economic mainstream and they want a share in the benefit of what's being done on their land.... It's going to be very interesting to see how it finally gets resolved, whether the governments are going to make room for the First Nations to collect fees on their land."

JR - Cowards, scofflaws, appeasers.

Developers left out to dry

Dalton McGuinty must have thought it was groundhog day - He actually surfaced long enough to declare that municipalities should not give in to the demands of the Six Nations' HDI - Premier tells municipalities to ignore Six Nations development fee.

That's wonderful, but in the words of NDP house leader Peter Kormos, "the premier is leaving the developers and the landowners out to dry", because there do not seem to be any consequences for the campaign which promises to become more intense later this month.

Basically McGuinty is saying, They're wrong, but you're on your own. Which is pretty much what his government said last September. So there has been no movement.

Developers like Mike Quattrociocchi are left to deal with the HDI on their own.

But why should Dalton worry? He has a majority and therefore nothing to fear.

HDI plans to step up action

This is going to get interesting - Six Nations Grand River Claim taken seriously, mayor says (CBC):

...The Haudenosaunee Development Institute, which handles economic development issues for Six Nations, sent a letter last September asserting aboriginal title over much of the land adjacent to the river, all the way from Lake Erie to Grey County, and the institute says it will begin a public campaign for its assertion later this month.

( . . . )

Toronto lawyer Aaron Detlor, who heads the Six Nation's Haudenosaunee Development Institute, said this is just the start.

"We are going to go out, and identify specific areas where it's clear there's been no surrender and no payment, and go and advise people, this is not your land. There's no more of this sweeping it under the rug. It's not OK to steal land anymore and we're going to make people aware of that," he said...

Waterloo Regional Chair Ken Seiling is on record as saying, "We are bound to operate under Ontario legislation and there is no legislation or legal authority to do what they are suggesting."

This is what happens when we ignore problems and hope that they'll go away, Dalton.


Wednesday Update - Jamieson speaks out:

...Who is Aaoron Detlor, head of HDI? He is not a Six Nations of the Grand community member, yet he has so much voice and influence regarding our future generations.

My husband and I were recently told the land issue happening now at Six Nations is a Grand River Issue and does not concern other Ogwehowe territories. Yet, this Institute calls itself Haudenosaunee...

But what is Plan B?

Another 'disturbance' in Caledonia yesterday - Activist badly beaten in Caledonia attack (Spectator). More at LFP.

I just can't get over this line from Julian Fantino:

OPP commissioner Julian Fantino said in a release that the force, “will seek every legal remedy possible to end this madness and to bring them (protesters) to justice.”

“These incidents, where interlopers put their personal agendas over those who are striving for a permanent and lasting resolution will not be tolerated,” said Fantino.

At first I thought he was referring to the native protesters.

Silly me.


Meanwhile, the feds will offer another cash settlement, since the $125 million offered last May wasn't good enough - Ottawa plans new cash offer to Six Nations.

If that fails, then Plan B goes into action.

Trouble is, nobody seems to know what that might be.

Cultural disparity and the rule of law

The first thing Michael Bryant should do as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is to establish which rule of law applies the native population in Ontario.

According to some native activists, the Canadian government has no jurisdiction over their people. Therefore any action by non-native legal systems is viewed as 'high treason'.

This isn't the first time this argument has been advanced. Many Canadian taxpayers are left wondering why they are still having to support reservations, etc.

In fact, Jonathan Kay mentioned this little item in a recent editorial:

Each year the federal government spends over $8-billion on reserve-resident natives, or $80,000 per reserve-resident household (a statistic I never get tired of quoting, because it puts to rest the idea that natives are somehow being nickel-and-dimed under the current system).

Yet, many natives still feel that they should only be accountable to themselves. It would appear that sometimes our courts condone this view, as in the release of Byron Powless on $5000 bail. (You remember the Sam Gualtieri story, right?):

As part of the bail conditions, Powless must live on the Six Nations reserve with his parents, have no contact with the alleged victims and not possess any firearms, explosives or ammunition. Styres said he agreed to be Powless's surety because he believes it's an important time in Canadian history as the Six Nations Haudenosaunee try to assert their land rights. "He was defending the right of the Haudenosaunee people (to their land) as he understands it," he said.

This idea of 'we can take care of our own' appears to be in direct conflict with the rights of non-natives.

Michael Bryant will need to bridge this chasm of understanding.

Julian Fantino seems to be blaming the non-natives for stirring the pot, but blame is not getting us anywhere. Neither is passing the buck to the feds for policing issues.

Oh, and by the way, here is a slightly more accurate figure on the Caledonia price tag.

Michael Bryant, you have a job to do. Let's see some action.

Now.

Who's telling the truth? With update

Update on hydro increase: It gets worse - Government caught in middle of electricity rate battle Nov. 5 (Ian Urquhart):

...But just in case, the Liberals kept one foot firmly on the brake, with a hard cap on rates charged by government-owned Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for electricity from its "heritage assets," the nuclear plants and major hydro facilities such as Niagara Falls.

That cap comes off on April 1, 2008, however, and now the province's tolerance for higher electricity rates is really going to be put to the test, as OPG served notice late last week that it will be seeking a 14-per-cent hike...

...The government was silent on the matter last week. "The intention is just (to) leave it with the OEB," said a spokesperson for Energy Minister Gerry Phillips...

A footnote: It is no accident that OPG's proposal for a rate hike was released three weeks after the Oct. 10 election. An informed source says OPG was ready to roll last summer but was prevailed upon by its single shareholder, the government, to wait until now.

So that's a second source saying the same thing. Sounds like somebody was pulling some strings.

* * * *

From Nov. 3 Globe - OPG to seek 14-percent rate hike:

...The spectre of rising electricity prices is a sensitive topic for the government. OPG's announcement comes just three weeks after the provincial election, when Premier Dalton McGuinty's Liberals won a second majority. Energy industry sources said government officials instructed OPG not to apply for the higher rates until after the election.

Energy Ministry spokesman Steve Erwin responded, "It's up to OPG, not us, to decide when they do or do not want to file such an application."

"McGuinty gets re-elected, and the cost of living goes up for Ontarians at a time when they can afford it least," said Progressive Conservative MPP John Yakabuski...

Yeah, that's sure going to help the old manufacturing sector.


More Ontario comment: Cross-border medicine (Christina Blizzard)

We don't expect much from this Liberal crew - (John Snobelen):

...The dismissal or demotion of several senior ministers and the promotion of many new MPPs will consolidate more power in the premier's office. Dalton and a few key ministers will run the show and that tells me Dalton isn't planning on leaving any time soon. Why should he? He has won two majorities in a row and both opposition parties are now in disarray having squandered the chance to defeat McGuinty over his broken promises.

No opposition, low expectations and a very compliant cabinet spells a cake walk for this premier into the next election. Maybe McGuinty will go for three majorities in a row. Maybe he will be handed a third election victory by opposition parties that just aren't up to the job of defeating him. Maybe.

There is some good news in all the changes. Michael Bryant can't be happy about the shift to aboriginal affairs but the creation of this ministry is a good idea and maybe the energy Bryant brought to banning pitbulls will help bring some justice to Caledonia...

On that last note, we can only hope.

* * * *

Update: Halls of Macadamia features a great link that gives us a glimpse into Dalton's cold, calculating mind. Tony covers this too.

In case you missed it, please read Linda Leatherdale - Unions feed at the trough.

Ontario Post-Election Blues

Various voices of discontent across the province:

Christina Blizzard - A stain on our ballot boxes. Christina highlights some voting issues that have bubbled to the surface. Some First Nations communities were without ballot boxes, and other horror stories...


The Sun also features a North Bay Nugget editorial criticizing Dalton's pick for Minister of Natural Resources - Can Cansfield do the job?:

The largest forests in Donna Cansfield's urban Toronto riding are two of the ritziest, most exclusive golf courses in the city, which makes her a poor choice to lead the province's Ministry of Natural Resources.

Brilliant choice, Dalton.



Sign of things to come - Court decision could mean huge windfall for First Nations. Prepare to shell out even though Hallowe'en is over.


3% Hydro Hike sought. And would you like taxes with that?


Globe - Strike at Sarnia border crossing could create traffic chaos.

National Post - Ontario is bad for business:

...Unfortunately the road isn't equally smooth for everybody, and the reduction in the federal take will only tend to highlight the startling differences between provinces when it comes to corporate tax policy. And one is sticking out like a sore thumb more than ever -- Ontario, which now imposes the highest effective tax burden on corporations of any province and has done less than most to program for future reductions...

( . . . )

...As things stand, we take well over twice as much on every dollar of return on capital (36.6%) as does Sweden (17.5%).

The Conservative government in Ottawa is doing its best to change this, as did the prior Liberal government when the problem became too big to ignore, circa 2003. Ontario hasn't, by and large, although it is slowly phasing out its direct tax on capital (even as provinces like Saskatchewan and New Brunswick simply abandon theirs). Its government seems to prefer to engage in increasingly strident pleas for federal assistance, with its municipal offspring tugging at its hem and joining in the chorus. Meanwhile, it lags behind the other provinces in broad measures of capital reinvestment, and the headlines continue to bring troubling reminders...

Get ready for it Canada! Four more years of Dalton and his socialist union friends demanding your tax-dollars.

Bad news for Brampton - Daimnation!

Star - Diabetes a huge problem for Ontario's poor.


Ian Urquhart thinks McGuinty blew it - Mini-budget a wasted opportunity.


Connie Woodchuck tells us that the black-market for cigarettes shows no sign of going away - Why I cough up cash for black-market smokes:

...Because nobody in government wants to mess with the natives. Not at Caledonia. Not at Oka. And not at my little local reserve. And really, in my heart of hearts, I know this is simply not right.

We're all expected to obey the laws of the land -- but not when it comes to anything involving aboriginals. They might get mad.

Youth puffing black-market smokes - Globe.

Newmarket, Aurora schools top list for contraband smokes: survey.


Hey, other than all that, things are just peachy!

* * * *

Saturday Update: Hands off our tax cut, Dalton! - Kevin Gaudet.

Making poverty a priority - James Wallace.

Hampton calls for an increase in PST - Globe.

Has the buck finally stopped?

Dalton McGuinty's decision to have the Aboriginal Affairs ministry stand separate from Natural Resources, sounds like a good one at first glance. Natives and non-natives alike think it's about time.

Yet, I can't help agreeing with Aaron Detlor's take on things:

Detlor also described the post-election move as a "reluctant admission" on the part of the government that land claims are in fact a provincial concern.

That was exactly what I was thinking.

Time to start actually taking responsibility, Dalton.


Meanwhile, there's a throne speech coming.

Smitherman and Wynne are staying put.

*Sigh*


And I didn't see that one coming.

How many more sleeps til the next election?

Use this as your personal rant - Updated again

(Breaking News update at end of post)

I'm going to be very busy the next few days, so posting will be light if any. I will update anything earth-shaking.

So feel free to use this post as a place to rant, or offer tips, or anything you like.

I only ask that there be no personal attacks and no vulgarity. Otherwise the Comment Moderation Police will be called in.

Thanks.

* * * *

Discussion suggestions: In Friday's Post - One Sales Tax on Table. I don't like the idea of more taxes on haircuts, electricity, shoes, etc. And what's stopping Dalton from doing this?

Also in Post - Recognize fetus, victim's family pleads. Actually, that should read victims' family.

Majority support Fetal Protection - CFRA.

And - City can't afford Pilates lessons by Councillor Karen Stintz. Free Pilates and Yoga lessons? No wonder Toronto is in trouble! Councillor Stintz also points out what a choke-hold the unions have on the city finances.

Oh, and speaking of unions ... Heh.

Star - Poll finds (among other things) that "Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion is the least popular opposition leader in more than 20 years."



Record - Province rejects Six Nations' demands for fees:

It's a move that the confederacy's traditional government says "can only be seen as an attempt to incite violence and raise doubt and more confusion in the minds of their own people and ours here at Six Nations."

Spectator - Developer calls for more protection.

11:30 AM - Natives occupy Brantford building site.

Ruby Montour, spokesman for the group, made an announcement warning all home buyers and developers that their patents and titles would not be recognized and that homeowners should make sure they check their insurance policies.

It's your move, Dalton.


The Black Rod - Memo to Grand Chief: The 12 Steps. (H/T to reader Swift)

New poll!

Could the answer be this simple?

A letter to the editor in today's Spectator suggests two methods be used for dealing with Caledonia-type issues - Preventing the Crisis.

The first is to "ensure the provincial government stops issuing licences and permits to build, mine, etc. on native or contested land without the permission of the First Nations concerned..."

This is something that has puzzled me since the Caledonia occupation/reclamation began. How did those building permits get issued in the first place. Isn't the Ontario government extremely negligent here?

The second suggestion by Mr. Sorger is that the Feds speed up the land claim resolution process. I think that one is easier said than done, but you do wonder why this seems to drag on. Of course, why take millions, if you're willing to hold out for 'billions'?

* * * *

Backgrounder - Interesting but complicated history here - Difficult to Resolve.

Related: Native Protester's lawyer using obscure treaty to derail CH case. (Spectator)