Liberals Call on Federal Government to Get Serious about Caledonia

February 28, 2008

OTTAWA –The Conservative government must finally take a leadership role and act to bring resolution to the two-year Caledonia land claim dispute as quickly as possible, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville and Lloyd St. Amand, Member of Parliament for Brant, said today.

“Having recently visited Caledonia, I can report first-hand the frustration from all sides regarding the lack of leadership of the federal government,” said Ms. Neville.Today marks the two-year anniversary of the dispute over the Douglas Creek Estates subdivision near Caledonia, making it Canada’s longest running Aboriginal standoff, with no resolution in sight.

“The lack of progress is bad enough, but it’s the lack of interest from the Conservatives that is inexcusable,” said Ms. Neville. “The local Member of Parliament, Diane Finley is a Cabinet Minister and, as such, there is no excuse for this vacuum of leadership. The local MP, the Minister of Indian Affairs and the Prime Minister should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the dispute to go on this long.”

Much of the government debate on this matter has had less to do with the dispute and more with jurisdictional issues, with the Conservative government attempting to pass responsibility off on the Province of Ontario.

“The due date for leadership went by a long time ago. The Conservative government must step up to the plate now,” said Mr. St. Amand.