Haldimand "Barrett calls for Solicitor General of Ontario and Minister Bryant to Resign"

For Immediate Release May 5, 2008

Barrett asks Bryant to resign Queen’s Park

Following articles in two local papers, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett reports people are uncertain as to who is directing the OPP in both Caledonia and Tyendinaga/Deseronto.

Last week, an article in the Tekawennake newspaper reported: “He (referring to Chief Bill Montour) then thanked Bryant for taking his advice and asking the OPP about standing down in Tyendinaga and Caledonia.”Last week, Barrett relayed a similar report found in the Dunnville Chronicle. “Two newspapers and two different reporters saying the same thing,” Barrett said. “I ask you again, did you ask the Solicitor General to interfere or were you, were you yourself, asking the OPP about standing down in Tyendinaga and Caledonia?”

And although Hansard did not record the remainder of Barrett’s question (Hansard recorded only half of Barrett’s last sentence), the local MPP then asked Minister Bryant, given his previous statements, if he was prepared to resign.

Bryant answered ‘no’ and then began reading from the Ipperwash Report. Previously, on April 29th, Bryant stated: “I think the member knows that nobody in this House – no MPP, no member of government is walking around with a holster and cuffs. I think the member knows that it is up to police officers to execute that duty.”

Native land dispute

Mr. Toby Barrett: To the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs:

Last week you said in this House and I quote: “I think the member knows that nobody in this House—no MPP, no member of government is walking around with a holster and cuffs. I think the member knows that it’s up to police officers to investigate that duty.” Minister, I would like to quote an article from last week’s Dunnville Chronicle: “Over the weekend, Six Nations Band Chief, Bill Montour, told Aboriginal Affairs minister Michael Bryant, that the blockade was not criminal activity and said this could become something all party does not want it to be. He gave credit to Bryant for talking to the Solicitor General who reportedly told the OPP to stand down.”Minister, did you talk to the Solicitor General about having the OPP stand down?

Hon. Michael Bryant: No.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Thank you, minister. We know that the Dunnville Chronicle stated last week that Six Nations’ Chief, Bill Montour “gave credit to Michael Bryant for talking to the Solicitor General who reportedly told the OPP to stand down.”There’s another article I would like to report. It was written last week by Jim Windle—I know Jim, he’s read more articles on Six Nations than any other journalist. This article states and he referred to Chief Montour, “then thanked Bryant for taking his advice and asking the OPP about standing down in Tyendinaga and Caledonia.” Two newspapers and two different reporters saying the same the same thing.I ask you again: Did you ask the Solicitor General to interfere or were you, were you yourself, asking the OPP about standing down and in Tyendinaga and Caledonia? Given your previous statements, these two reports are—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

Hon. Michael Bryant: Well, no again to that one as well. Interference? The only government that’s been found to interfere with police operations has been the Conservative government. It’s the approach of the Conservatives according to testimony by Charles Harnick, that the approach was: “I want the *!?*% Indians out of the park.” That is an interfering approach. That is not a negotiating approach. That is an approach that was, in fact, condemned by Commissioner Linden and it’s not the approach of this government.I know that the official opposition doesn’t like to hear this. I know that the official opposition may not have liked some of the findings in this report but we will continue to support the recommends by Sidney Linden of the Ipperwash commission.

Here is an update from Toby Barrett. This was from Thursday May 1, 2008.

I do believe that it is time for a full investigation, just to find out who is actually telling the truth. These are serious statements being made about Minister Bryant and the Solicitor General of Ontario. I would certainly want my name cleared, wouldn’t you?

Re: Barrett calls for Solicitor General’s resignation

Toby here,

Following is my news release and Hansard from questions I asked Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci this afternoon. It is all self-explanatory; however folks have been speculating as to why the barricades came down so quickly this time around.
Have a good evening.

Toby

For Immediate Release

May 1, 2008

Barrett calls for Solicitor General’s resignation

Queen’s Park – Since the start of the Caledonia land disputes two years ago, the McGuinty Liberals have been clear that they do not direct the OPP on operational matters. A Dunnville Chronicle newspaper article printed yesterday suggests the Minister of Community, Safety and Correctional Services (Solicitor General) Rick Bartolucci has done otherwise.

Prior to Question Period today, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett spotted the article which read: Over the weekend, Six Nations band chief Bill Montour told Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant that the blockade was not a criminal activity and said this could become something all parties did not want it to be. He gave credit to Bryant for talking to the Solicitor General who reportedly told the OPP to stand down.

Back in December, the Minister of Community, Safety and Correctional Services said in response to one of Barrett’s questions: "If the member is suggesting that the Solicitor General or any other minister or member should interfere with the operation of the OPP, he’s wrong. He’s dead wrong."

Given the report that Bartolucci allegedly asked the OPP to "stand down" Barrett then formally asked in the Ontario Legislature, "Given your previous statements, are you prepared to resign?"

"That allegation is ridiculous, and, no, I will not resign because I won’t interfere with policing operations," Bartolucci said. "We’ve learned from past history that you don’t interfere as government with policing operations."

Barrett also asked the Minister why arrests were made in Deseronto/Tyendinaga for lawless behaviour over the weekend, but not in Caledonia. The Minister refused to answer the question but congratulated the OPP on their handling of the situation.

Native land disputes

Mr. Toby Barrett: To the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Minister, on April 25, OPP Commissioner Fantino was clear in a news release concerning problems at Tyendinaga and Deseronto: "This violent criminal activity occurred outside of any legitimate protest and will not be tolerated." It was not tolerated because people were arrested.

Back in Caledonia, criminal activity was allowed to occur all weekend. Not over a land claim, but in support of Tyendinaga. To my knowledge, no arrests were made on the weekend in Caledonia. Why does the OPP crack down at Deseronto, but will not crack down at Caledonia? ... no arrests were made on the weekend in Caledonia. Minister, why does the OPP crack down at Deseronto, but will not crack down at Caledonia?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Minister of community safety.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: This gives me a great opportunity to congratulate Commissioner Fantino, the incident commanders, senior officers and front-line officers for the remarkable job they’re doing.

Listen, we appreciate that the OPP is handling these situations in a very, very professional manner, understanding that, at the end of the day, public safety is paramount. Congratulations to Commissioner Fantino. Congratulations to the OPP.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.

Mr. Toby Barrett: They did a good job at Deseronto. Minister, on December 4th last year, I questioned you in the House and you said: "If the member is suggesting that the Solicitor General or any other minister or member should interfere with the operation of the OPP, he's wrong."

Now, in this week’s Dunnville Chronicle, there’s an article written by Karen Best—she’s a reporter known for her accuracy and thoroughness—and I quote the article, in part:

"Over the weekend, Six Nations band Chief Bill Montour told Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant that the blockade was not a criminal activity," and, further, "He gave credit to Bryant for talking to the Solicitor General, who, reportedly told the OPP to stand down."

Speaker, we have a report before this House referring to the Solicitor General, who reportedly told the OPP to stand down. Minister, given your previous statements, are you prepared to resign?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: That allegation is ridiculous, and, no, I will not resign because I won’t interfere with policing operations. We’ve learned from past history that you don’t interfere as government with policing operations.

But, what we can do, what we should do, what I’m asking him to do, and that side to do, is to ensure that we ask the federal government to come to the table with our First Nations communities to settle these land claims. The OPP is doing a remarkable job at ensuring that public safety is the top priority, but there are two other partners here that have to come to the table. The federal government has a responsibility to come to the table, to settle these land claims, so that everyone can get along the way we want to get along in Ontario—