Haldimand "Is Nuclear Power Right for Haldimand County?"

Petition Seeks Moratorium on Nanticoke Nuclear Proposal
For immediate release: November 18, 2008

Grand Erie Energy Quest, a grassroots group of concerned residents of Haldimand and Norfolk Counties, is launching a petition requesting a moratorium on nuclear development in Nanticoke, Ontario.

Without any formal public consultation, the Municipal Councils of Haldimand and Norfolk Counties have endorsed a Bruce Power proposal for an Environmental Assessment. Resolutions passed by both councils in the spring of 2007 have supported the first stage in Bruce’s proposal to build two nuclear reactors at Nanticoke.

The group’s petition requests that there be a complete moratorium on nuclear development until the issues of contamination, costs, security, and public consultation are adequately addressed.

The lack of public consultation by local municipalities is one of the main points addressed by the petition. Haldimand Council has refused three times to approve a citizen’s delegation regarding concerns about the nuclear proposal.

In addition to the problem of a lack of public input, citizens’ worries revolve around issues such as radioactive waste, cost overruns, social and biotic impact. Some residents feel that competitive alternatives to nuclear power have not been adequately addressed or explored by local political leaders.

“A big concern is that we feel that we’ve been completely left out of a decision-making process that will affect not only our own lives but the lives of our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren,” said Jim Elve, one of the authors of the petition. “Now that Bruce Power has committed $30 million to the first stage of construction, the snowball is rolling downhill and it won’t be easy to stop.”

Copies of the petition will be available for signing at MPP Toby Barrett’s Energy Symposium in Jarvis this Thursday evening, November 20th.

Grand Erie Energy Quest Jim Elve - 519-443-8085 - P.O. Box 490, Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0 - email: jelve@jelve.comhttp://www.energyquest4nanticoke.ca/

download the petition from the GEEQ website

Nuclear Nanticoke? Not so fast.

To: Norfolk County Council, Haldimand County Council, Legislature of Ontario, the Honourable Diane Finley and the Honourable Toby Barrett.

Without any formal public consultation, County Councils in both Haldimand and Norfolk have unanimously endorsed the first step in building two nuclear reactors.

The nuclear power industry has failed to address public concern over the issues of safety and security in the storage and handling of hazardous radioactive spent fuel.

Nuclear power is not emissions-free with its pollution intensive activities in uranium mining, transportation and refining.

No nuclear project has ever come in on budget or on time with the taxpayer and the utility customer paying for cost overruns that typically range in the billions of dollars.

We, the undersigned citizens, demand a complete moratorium on nuclear development until the issues of contamination, costs, security, and public consultation are adequately addressed.

Second anti-nuclear petition emerges
Posted By Monte Sonnenberg, SIMCOE REFORMER

A second petition is in circulation opposing the idea of nuclear reactors in Nanticoke.

Titled "Nuclear Nanticoke? Not so fast," the petition calls on Norfolk council, Haldimand council, Queen's Park and Ottawa to declare a moratorium on new nuclear generating stations until a host of issues related to the industry are addressed. These include the safe disposal of nuclear waste and the huge cost overruns that plague the industry.

Grand Erie Energy Quest -- sponsor of the petition -- also wants Bruce Power to suspend plans for an environmental assessment in Nanticoke until Norfolk council and Haldimand council fully air the issue in public. GEEQ is angry that Norfolk council and Haldimand council passed resolutions favourable to Bruce Power last year without entertaining public input.

"What Norfolk and Haldimand councils have done is declare Norfolk and Haldimand as willing host communities," says GEEQ spokesperson Jim Elve of Waterford, an environmental activist and member of the Green Party. "We seem to have more of a discussion about where to put a dog park than a nuclear facility."

Dunnville Coun. Lorne Boyko doesn't understand GEEQ's complaint. An environmental assessment, he said yesterday, is the proper means of airing concerns and fielding public input on an issue of this magnitude. Municipal councils, he added, are ill-equipped for the job.

"Is nuclear power right for Haldimand County?" Boyko said. "I don't know. But I know I'll have a pretty good idea after the environmental assessment. It's almost like they are petitioning against themselves. They are getting what they want."

In a news release yesterday, GEEQ described itself as "a grassroots group of concerned residents of Haldimand and Norfolk counties." The group doesn't believe Bruce Power will conduct an environmental assessment. Rather, it describes the $30-million, three-year study as "the first stage of construction."

"The snowball is rolling down hill and it won't be easy to stop," Elve said in his release.

Bruce Power spokesman James Scongack says initiatives like this are to be expected wherever nuclear reactors are proposed.

"There will always be a group of people who -- no matter how adequate the process -- will oppose it," he said. "I don't think anyone at this point is asking anyone to oppose or support anything. I don't put a lot of weight on this. The public consultation -- the public dialogue -- is only beginning."

Scongack plans to make a presentation at Norfolk council Nov. 25. During that presentation, he is expected to announce a series of open houses where Bruce Power will field questions and comments from the public.

Oct. 31, Bruce Power announced it is interested in constructing two nuclear reactors on 2,000 acres of vacant land in the Nanticoke Industrial Park. If the project gets the green light, the reactors will come on line around 2018.

Earlier this month, Donna Pitcher of South Cayuga said she will circulate a petition asking that the issue of nuclear reactors in Nanticoke be included as a question on 2010 municipal ballots in Norfolk, Haldimand, Hamilton and Brant County.

Those interested in downloading a copy of the GEEQ petition can do so by sending an e-mail to petition@energyquest4nanticoke.ca.

519-426-3528 ext. 150
msonnenberg@bowesnet.com

The Hamilton Spectator
NANTICOKE (Nov 19, 2008)

A community group has sprung up to fight a proposal to build two nuclear reactors in the industrial area of Haldimand County.

Bruce Power, which operates a nuclear power plant on Lake Huron near Port Elgin, is seeking to build the reactors beside the coal-fired Nanticoke Generating Station, which is set to close in 2014.

The province is not endorsing the idea, but it has support from both Haldimand and Norfolk councils, plus local MP and cabinet minister Diane Finley.

A group calling itself Grand Erie Energy Quest announced yesterday it has launched a petition requesting a moratorium on nuclear development in Nanticoke.

It will be asking residents to sign it tomorrow night at MPP Toby Barrett's energy symposium at the Jarvis Community Centre.

The group asks that a moratorium be put in place until the issues of contamination, costs, security and public consultation are adequately addressed. Bruce is seeking approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to conduct an environmental assessment.

It could take three years and cost the company $30 million.

Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer, who has encouraged the province to support the nuclear option for Nanticoke, said she's heard both pro and con from residents, but "the majority have been for it."

Haldimand "We Were Never Asked"

I have been asked by a few people to explain why I am attempting to stop "progress" here in Haldimand County. This is in regards to a petition that I am working on about the Environmental Assessment by Bruce Power for a possible Nuclear Power Plant in Haldimand (Nanticoke).

I want to make myself perfectly clear that my problem is with the process and the path that our Council members have taken on our behalf. And it is just that simple! I am not trying to stop "progress".

I have not decided 100% whether I am in favour of a Nuclear Power Plant in Nanticoke, and I am sure that there are many that feel the same way I do. Each of us will have our own opinions and thoughts on this issue, but what is missing for me personally is I have not had say!

Our elected Council members in Haldimand County have made that decision on our behalf. This was just plain wrong!

I don’t have a problem with council making regular every day decisions on how to run this county, but this decision was way behind their scope of "responsibilities". How much do they really know about Nuclear Power?

So that brings me to a few concerns and questions that if we were involved in the process with our Council maybe we would today have some answers;

Bruce Power has published the economic impact that this would have on the community, and has obviously shared this with our Council members.

Where did this information come from, and what back up documentation is there? Where are the Staff reports from Haldimand County?

The Environmental Assessment Process;

What are all the steps?
What role does the public play in this process?
Does the public get to vote on this?
What role does the County play in this process?
Is the process Fair?

I would like to see all the related information and all Staff Reports that relate to this question. In particular the background information that staff would have provided to our Council members.

Used Fuel and Waste Management;

Does staff and Council have the knowledge and the background related to this issue. Have they "fully" investigated and understand the scope of Waste management at this level? Again all staff reports and Council’s thoughts on this would have been appreciated.

Security and Safety;

Other then the information from Bruce Power, what other documentation and expert consultation has Haldimand County done. Again staff reports to back this up.

Environmental Effects;

Again other then the information provided by Bruce Power what information can staff provide on the effects? Has staff hired and consulted with experts in this field?

Other Alternatives;

What other alternatives were investigated? Meetings and reports from staff in relation to this are also critical. Has Haldimand County requested from the Provincial government funds be spent on the upgrades to the Coal Plant? If so, what response have they received?

I could go on and I am sure that many of you have even more questions.

My problem…We Were Never Asked…..

As I stated earlier this was a decision that Haldimand County Councillors should never have taken on without our input! They have certainly taken enough time in the last two years to speak to Bruce Power, but wouldn't speak to residents as they stated it was premature.

It looks like our Council has put us on a road where there is no turning around. As Councillor Sloat so eloquently put it….."The county will have an opportunity for giving input but will have no "decision making role".

Why on earth would our "elected officials" start a process that they themselves can not vote on or have a final say?

Is this "Responsible Government?"

There were many simple ways that Haldimand County Council could have engaged the community, but they once again decided that our "Voices" did not need to be heard!

Now maybe if we had been involved in the process from the beginning, and we took part in the decision to say, "We Are A Willing Host" I would feel differently today!

Haldimand "Has Haldimand Council bought Us a One Way Ticket"

Karen Best, reporter for the Chronicle wrote a very detailed article today in regards to a possible Nuclear Plant here in Haldimand (Nanticoke). Headline: Nuclear Plant becomes more than a Mirage".

As some of you may already know I am writing a petition with the help of a resident from Norfolk. This petition is in regards to the path that Haldimand/Norfolk councils have been going down the last 2 years.

Haldimand Council over the past two years has taken their time as our "elected representatives" to meet with MP Diane Finley and Bruce Power but has denied us the residents our right to have our say! We were told it was premature. Now if I am not mistaken when council is together as a "whole" this is "official" business?

When I was asked about what Haldimand County Council could have done differently, I didn't have a problem with a list of things they could have done to inform us and then ultimately ask us if we would join them (Council) in announcing that "We are a Willing Host". I am sure that some of you could come up with more suggestions for council.

Here are a few things that could have been done;

Public Announcements! Every week Haldimand County has an ad in "every" local paper that is paid by our tax dollars!

Public Meetings! Haldimand County has public meetings in chambers on a regular basis in regards to "Development", it is part of the process, is this not a major development?

Town Hall Meetings; Each council member could have taken the time to have their own town hall meetings, after all some did promise that if they were elected they would do this anyway!

An Insert in Our Tax Bills! This is a very cost effective way to inform the residents. Our tax bills are already sent out on a regular basis. Some of us even get them more often then others! One of these inserts could have been a simple "Ballot type Question".

Now as we all are aware none of the above has taken place. Why? Well up until this news article came out I would have said that council didn't want to hear what we had to say, but it seems that it is much deeper than that!

It looks like we have been given a "one way ticket". All thanks to our duly elected Municipal Council Members!

So Bruce Power will get their approval for an EA, they will have several public meetings, they have already set up a website, have already sent out some mailings, and have already placed full page ads in local newspapers. But in the end, will we really be part of the "decision" into whether a Nuclear Plant is built here or not. Well if I read correctly the comment from Karen's article correctly the answer is "NO".

Here is what Councillor Sloat said;

"We feel we are a willing host and the environmental assessment process will prove it one way or another," The county will have an opportunity for giving input but will have no decision making role." stated Councillor Sloat!

Is Bruce Power or Haldimand County going to have some kind of "ballot" that is fair? What I mean by fair is will this question be put to the "residents" like a ballot in an election? Or are they going to judge our "willingness" on the basis of who gets involved, or on the minimum requirements of the EA.

So this is where a petition will come in to play. If this petition was to state that until such a time that we can be convinced that the residents have been fully involved in this process by "our" Council, not Bruce Power, we are "not" a "willing host".

The petition should be ready by next week. We will then see just how much of a "willing host" the residents of Haldimand/Norfolk are. This will take time, but the EA process will also take time.

Here is the link to the entire article, it is a good read;
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1296315

Haldimand ``What Lies Beneath``

W5 News Story on Port Hope - What Lies Beneath

If you didn’t have the chance take a look at this special segment on W5 – Port Hope is a community divided.

I was appalled that the waste water going into Lake Ontario has extreme levels – Tests done showed levels of arsenic up to 5 times higher than current Ontario guidelines -- and uranium almost 50 times higher.

The CNSC allows Cameco (a Bruce Power Partner) to have much higher levels of arsenic in waste water than the Ontario guidelines, and sets no limit on the amount of uranium.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Association would also oversee a nuclear plant at Nanticoke; do we want uranium, arsenic flowing into Lake Erie!

Watch this segment (there are 2 parts) and I’m sure you will have a lot of unanswered questions about nuclear!

Lorraine

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081106/wfive_porthope_081106/20081108?hub=WFive

After I posted this blog and went into the link and read the story. I thought this was a video and as I am on dial up, it is usually not an option for me.

So here is the story, it is a Must Read!

Part#1 is the story (below) and Part two is a video.

W-FIVE Staff

The picture perfect town of Port Hope lies on the shores of Lake Ontario, 100 km east of Toronto. Some call this historic town one of the prettiest in Ontario, famous for its antique shopping and elegant bed and breakfasts.

But Port Hope is famous for more than historic buildings and scenic views. The town is home to Canada's oldest nuclear refinery; a looming structure that sits on the shores of the lake, right in the middle of town.

At the height of World War Two, Eldorado was owned by the Canadian government and manufactured the uranium for the first atomic bomb. Today, it's privately-owned by Cameco, the world's largest producer of uranium.

But for some Port Hope residents, nuclear doesn't rest easy. Sanford and Helen-Anne Haskill are two of these people. The Haskills have a clear view of Cameco from the farm their family has owned for more than two centuries. And not far from where the Sanfords live, on the edge of town lies a waste site which stores nuclear waste from the Eldorado days.

According to the Haskills, the waste doesn't always stay in the ground as it should, and this is one of their many concerns. They said a pipe that starts at the nuclear waste site and empties into Lake Ontario right behind Sanford's farm is leaking harmful toxins.

For more than 50 years, the pipe lay buried far out into Lake Ontario where it couldn't be seen. But this year, snow and ice caused a break in the pipe and now the waste water spills onto the shoreline near the Haskill farm.

"There's too much arsenic in it. There's too much uranium and there's beryllium in it and it's a nasty little guy," Sanford Haskill told W-FIVE. Tests done showed levels of arsenic up to 5 times higher than current Ontario guidelines -- and uranium almost 50 times higher.

Haskill took the test results to Cameco and to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the government agency which regulates the nuclear industry in Canada, asking them to do something about toxins spilling into the lake. But it turns out Cameco isn't breaking the law -- at least not any law Cameco is required to follow.

The CNSC allows Cameco to have much higher levels of arsenic in waste water than the Ontario guidelines, and sets no limit on the amount of uranium.

When some Port Hope residents got wind of Sanford's water test, Sanford said he received many threats.

"I've had people say I'd be better off if I was pushing daisies and all this kind of stuff to me. We've got one of the biggest split communities around," he said.

That split is clear. On one side are the Port Hopers who say the nuclear industry is clean and safe and good for the town economy. On the other side are the Port Hopers who say the nuclear industry is contaminating the town and making people sick.

Linda Thompson is the Mayor of Port Hope. She said she doesn't believe the town is divided.
"I think there are very strong feelings on both sides."

And yet some critics of Port Hope said they have the been the target of death threats and that they are terrified of continuing to speak out about what they think are real health concerns. Mayor Thompson insisted there is no reason for alarm. She denied her citizens are suffering ill effects from the nuclear industry and she backed up her views with eight Health Canada studies done over the last 20 years which have all given Port Hope a clean bill of health.

"The numerous health studies that have been done have been consistent in advising us that there are no health concerns," she told W-FIVE.

But what is safe is very much a matter of opinion. Rosalie Bertell is an epidemiologist who has spent most of her 80 years warning the world about low level radiation. Bertell is one of the world's foremost experts on the effects of uranium on humans. She said uranium dust can stay captured in people's lungs and bones and can wreak havoc over time.

Bertell argued that Health Canada's studies don't tell the full story. She said the studies done to date look primarily at cancer rates and do not look at other illnesses associated with low level radiation.

"You can get Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. You could have miscarriages and still births. You're likely to die sooner, younger or you're likely to have more chronic illness," said Bertell.
Andy Oliver, the vice president of Cameco's fuel service division insisted Cameco is a good neighbour. He said Cameco does not pollute.

"There are very low levels of uranium. They are well below any regulatory standard. They are perfectly safe," Oliver told W-FIVE.

The nuclear debate in Port Hope isn't new. It started back in the 1930's when Eldorado first opened shop. It's a debate that seems to have no end but some say there is a solution.

"Just go to zero emissions," said Sanford Haskill. "Let the federal government clean up around Cameco, get rid of all this low level stuff we've got in Port Hope and take it to a safe site. And this town is back united."

Haldimand ``Don`t Fall for Corporate Political Babblespeak``

Here is an excellent editorial by Gregg McLachlan from the Simcoe Reformer. Hopefully our local newspapers here in Haldimand stay close to this issue.

The petition is in it`s final stage and will be ready by November 20th, at least that is my plan. So please stay tuned in! Please send this article to your friends and neighbours!

`Kudo`s to Gregg, I do believe you have hit the nail on the head``

Ontario Liberals in pickle, and Bruce Power knows it
Simcoe Reformer
Monday, November 10, 2008
Editorial/OpinionByline:

BY GREGG MCLACHLAN`

That's one way to sum up what's unfolding in Nanticoke.Ontario-based Bruce Power, a private company which already operates a nuclear power plant 250 km northwest of Toronto on the shore of Lake Huron, has taken a bold step that could ultimately save Dalton McGuinty and Co.

The company's $30-million environmental assessment at an 800-acre site in the Nanticoke Industrial Park will almost certainly pave the way for it to build a nuclear power plant that starts generating electricity by 2018.

Don't entirely fall for corporate babblespeak that this assessment is purely exploratory.

In today's economic downturn, companies don't spend $30 million willy nilly.

Preliminary work has already set the stage for this study and it will likely produce few surprises: that Nanticoke is a suitable site for a nuclear plant.

Bruce Power CEO Duncan Hawthorne has been publicly touting nuclear power at Nanticoke since March 2007. The only oddity is that the province has never publicly endorsed the concept or, now, the project. At least not yet.

But we can read between the lines. It's no secret that a power window is rapidly closing on Ontario's Liberals. McGuinty has promised that the province's dirty coal-fired power plants will be shut down by 2014. That includes the Nanticoke Generating Station, the largest plant of its kind in North America.

So far, the province has made no announcement on what will replace one of the province's key hydro stations that supplies enough electricity to power millions of homes. However, one thing is certain: the province knows another significant power generator must be located in Nanticoke, purely because of the vast hydro transmission corridor that runs north from the station.

It would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take years to acquire land and build a new corridor elsewhere (new power plant not included). Such an idea may be next to impossible today anywhere near the development-restricted Greenbelt.

All the province has said publicly so far is that it wants renewable energy sources to play a key role in replacing coal-fired power generation. Bruce Power has strategically positioned itself to meet that Liberal position --which means, eventually, McGuinty & Co., will have little choice but to endorse the Nanticoke plan.

In addition to nuclear, Bruce Power says it will study building what it calls a 'clean energy hub' involving wind, solar and hydrogen power in Haldimand-Norfolk-- which likely means Nanticoke -- through a partnership with the Canadian Hydrogen Association, University of Waterloo and McMaster University. It's that part of Bruce Power's plan that will be enticing to the Liberals who can eventually piggyback on it for a firm public-friendly green energy strategy.

Even if 50 per cent of people dislike nuclear, there's a strong likelihood the other 50 per cent will support a 'clean energy hub.'

From a purely public marketing standpoint, the 'clean energy hub' concept is a brilliant new strategy to add to the mix when considering building a nuclear power plant. So, if we read between the lines, we can surmise that:

A) The Liberals are quietly, but knowingly, letting Bruce Power go it alone and absorb the environmental lobbyists' protests over its site assessment and pursuit of nuclear power in Nanticoke;

B) Only when the timing is right (how about an election campaign?), will the Liberals announce endorsement and/or participation and/or funding in a 'clean energy hub' for Nanticoke that meets their previous pledge to use renewable energies to assist in the replacement of coal-fired generation.

In the case of the Nanticoke Generating Station, a government is simply not going to make a casual, low-key announcement about what's next at the site. For years the plant has been the high profile target of environmentalists fighting dirty emissions.

So a government announcement will be made at a time and place for maximum political and environmental gain. Bruce Power, also eyeing expansion of its nuclear operations into Alberta and Saskatchewan, is simply getting a jump start in Nanticoke on solving an Ontario dilemma well known by the Liberals.

In the meantime, do some math. The Liberals pledge to close the Nanticoke Generating Station in 2014. Bruce Power says a nuclear plant wouldn't be producing power until 2018. That leaves a gap of four years where, as it stands today, millions of homes will be short on electricity. Unless, of course, the Nanticoke coal-fired plant's life is extended yet again, or retrofitted to use another cleaner fuel source.There's plenty more intrigue left to keep you plugged into this tale for years to come.
Gregg McLachlan
Associate Managing Editor
http://www.simcoereformer.ca/

Haldimand "Lest We Forget"

In Flanders Fields By:
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Haldimand "Will You Please Give $5.00 a Month"

There are many issues that come and go in every day life. Some of us get involved, others don't.

What would you give up to fight an issue? Would you give up your livelihood? Would you live on donations given to you by your neighbours? Would you be proud to tell people that you only have "$3.00" to your name?

Gary McHale states that he lost his home in Richmond Hill because of the Caledonia land claims, I say he lost his home because he decided not to work and pay his bills. Again I am probably being insensitive here, but give me a break it is not "Caledonia's" fault that Gary lost his home and has $3.00 dollars in his pocket!

There are many people out there today that are living from paycheck to paycheck. Some are working two jobs for minimum wage, and are too proud to say that they have not enough to support their family.

Now you may say that I am insensitive, but I grew up in a family that did live from paycheck to paycheck. My Father was a proud man, and when times were tough, he was humble. We always had food on the table, a roof over our heads, and never "needed" for anything that was an absolute necessity!

So when I see this kind of news I am a bit opinionated! Gary get a Job!

Gary is now asking the approx. 5,000 people that voted for him in the last Federal election to financially support his endeavours. Gary may just find out that many of his votes, were protest votes. I could be wrong, but time will tell if the majority of these voters do in fact give Gary $5.00 per month to support his cause. We will never know the outcome of his plea!

There are far too many people right here in Haldimand that fight to keep the roof over their heads, food on the table, and their essential bills paid. I say if you are going to donate money to anyone, give to your local charities, for those that are in need!

The following is a plea from a resident of Caledonia. This letter was full of spelling mistakes, so I took it in my own hands and corrected them! I received this in an email and it is posted on Caledonia Wake up Call;

As we continue into our third year of the occupation it has become very evident that Gary McHale has become an important voice for the Victims of Native Land Claims Occupations and violence. Gary has worked relentlessly on our behalf and has been a voice to reckon with in dealing with the issues of Native Occupations, Violence against innocent Citizens and Police inaction against the criminals.

To be able to continue the fight on our behalf Gary urgently needs our financial support. He needs money to pay for court transcripts, extra funds would enable him to pay for expert legal advice and of course he needs money to live on and survive to be there for us on another day.

Before you dismiss this plea for financial help stop and ask yourselves where would we be today without Gary's research, tenacity and penchant for seeking the truth and holding the Government and the police accountable.

Think back to the visionaries of the 60's and 70's who went to the streets to protest and think of the difference they made in our lives and then think what will happen if Gary can't continue on in his quest to ensure everyone's rights under the constitution equally.

In the past election Gary clearly demonstrated that he had the support of almost 5000 voters in Haldimand and that didn't include the many doners outside the community that supported Gary's campaign.

He also demonstrated through poll results that he clearly won the vote in Caledonia in all polls except for two and in those two he placed 2nd.

What we need is a very small commitment from all of those people who clearly supported Gary in the past election to donate at least $5.00 each per month into a war fund which Gary could use to pay his rent and other legal and court expenses in the fight for our rights.

It would be nice if all of those that voted for Gary could donate $5.00 each but reality tells us that that might not happen.

The money would be used frugally and would enable Gary to mount a sizable defense against the crimes of the Native occupiers, the lies of Fantino and the denial of the Government.

It is not uncommon for court documents and transcripts to cost $500.00 or more and as Gary continues on his quest it will become more important for him to have access to these documents.

We could set up a bank account at a local bank into which each and every one of us would diligently donate $5.00 each month and only Gary could withdraw funds from this account as needed for the continued fight.

It is our chance to get involved and become part of the solution and I know we would all feel better at the end of the day knowing we did something other than bitch about it.I would hope that several citizens of Caledonia would set up the account and oversee it's integrity and I don't propose that I nor any one directly associated with Gary would control the account.

The one thing important though is that the money be available for Gary's sole use at his discretion so that important strategic decisions aren't stymied through pettiness and bickering.

Any surplus money could be used for Gary to obtain paid legal advice on his many court challenges and at the end the surplus balance could become part of a community fund that could be used for the betterment of the community.

All of us can afford $5.00 per month and some might want to contribute more but that is their choice.

Gary needs our financial support now and I will be the first to donate my monthly $5.00 when you have the account set up for Gary's expenses.

We could go to our own personal bank and give them a standing order to deposit $5.00 each month into this war chest for Gary.

This order could be rescinded at any time should we decide that Gary no longer needs our support or we wish not to continue with it.

Without money and support the resistance will be lost and none of us want to see that happen. If anyone would like to volunteer to make this happen please contact me and we can set up a steering committee to get things on track but I do not want to be part of the citizen's group so that no one can point fingers at me, accusing me of trying to benefit financially from this program.

Gary has nothing to do with my plea for financial assistance on his behalf and he does not know about me posting it here. I have talked to Merlyn about my plan and have asked him to also help seek out volunteers to set up this account for Gary.

This would be a strong message from the people to the establishment that we want justice, equality and we will not go away.Of course if there is someone else in the community that will run an information board like Gary has been running with CaledoniaWakeupcall and take up the fight to the extent that Gary has then we would welcome you to do it and Gary's services and our financial help would no longer be needed.

Somehow I don't think we have anyone else willing to do all that Gary has done for us so we must support him at his moment of need.Jim Anderson

This is the news article that was published today in the Simcoe Reformer;

Supporters pass hat for McHale
Posted By Monte Sonnenberg, SIMCOE REFORMER
Posted 2 hours ago

Supporters of Caledonia activist Gary McHale have asked the public to support his efforts with donations of cash.

In a letter recently posted on McHale's website -- http://www.caledoniawakeupcall.com/ -- friend and supporter Jim Anderson, of Caledonia, says McHale needs help to continue court challenges related to the native standoff at the disputed Douglas Creek Estates subdivision.

Anderson adds that McHale, who ran as an independent in Haldimand-Norfolk in the Oct. 14 federal election, also needs help with living expenses.

"He needs money to pay for court transcripts, extra funds would enable him to pay for expert legal advice and, of course, he needs money to live on and survive to be there for us another day," the Anderson letter says.

Last week, McHale, of Binbrook, confirmed that his fight against the province's handling of the Caledonia file has cost him financially and professionally.

"I'm constantly in debt," he said. "At this moment in time I have $3 to my name, and that includes the change I have in the console of my car. I can't put gas in my car until someone comes through with a donation. I lost my home in Richmond Hill because of Caledonia."

McHale was a self-employed computer technician before the Caledonia land dispute erupted in February of 2006.

McHale has since devoted himself to challenging the McGuinty government's management of the crisis. This includes the toleration of native lawlessness, the proliferation of illegal smoke shops in the Caledonia area, and efforts on the part of the Ontario Provincial Police to mute and discourage non-native protestors.

McHale maintains that the McGuinty government's handling of the Caledonia situation is establishing the principle of two-tiered, race-based justice in Canada. In opposition to this, he has established a non-governmental organization called Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality (CANACE).

"Caledonia is a full-time job," said McHale, who is president of CANACE. "I survive on donations. I pay the rent when people donate money."

McHale has been tied up in court for several days since last month's election. He is fighting a charge of "counselling mischief not committed."

The OPP charged McHale following a protest in Caledonia in September, 2007. During that protest, McHale allegedly told a fellow protester to block a road with his vehicle. The protester did not comply, but the OPP proceeded with charges because counselling illegal activity is prohibited by law.

McHale placed fourth in Haldimand-Norfolk last month with 4,821 votes. He says money raised on his behalf will not be used to defray campaign expenses.
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