Haldimand "OPP Contract will Increase Taxes"

Donna Pitcher
Chronicle Staff Writer
December 9, 2009

Policing issues will not be a major issue in the upcoming 2010 Municipal Election. Once the OPP contract renewal is accepted by Haldimand County Council, it will not renew until 2014.

During the 2006 Haldimand County Municipal Election Campaign, policing services for Haldimand County was one of the major election issues.

Several councillors and candidates promised if elected they would replace the OPP, some opted to at least look into the issue. This option turned out to be a no option due to either lack of interest from surrounding agencies or the costs to the County to go back to their own force.

Negotiations have been ongoing since September 30, 2008 when the contract with the OPP expired. The new OPP contract will be for a five-year term starting on October 1, 2009.

The increase to taxpayers will be substantial states staffs report.

At last Monday’s Council in Committee meeting, Carl Butler from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) presented Haldimand County Council with an overview of the details related to the renewal of the current OPP Contact. Butler invited questions and concerns from council members in regards to the contract renewal.

One question was asked in relation to by-law enforcement. Butler clarified that the by-law enforcement that the OPP engages in is that of “police related by-laws”.

Under General Provisions of the new OPP contract it states;

“For the purposes of s. 10(6) of the Police Services Act, the O.P.P. shall provide police services to the Municipality, including the enforcement of mutually agreed upon by-laws. The parties shall annually review this part of the Agreement with a view to revising or updating the list of by-laws requiring O.P.P. enforcement”.

“Municipal Building Code violations overseen by the Municipality's Building Code inspector and those by-laws related to animal control will not form part of this Agreement”.

The above OPP General Provision for By-law enforcement is exactly the same as the agreement that was signed by Haldimand County on September 22, 2003.

In 2008 the base amount for policing was $7,198,676.00, for 2010 there are two options, the first option is $8,307,976.00 (an increase of $1,109,300.00) and option two is $8,005,080 (an increase of $806,404.00).

The difference between Option #1 and Option #2, is, Option #2 is a reduction of 3,257 hours in the guaranteed minimum service level, which equates to less than 9 hours per day.

Haldimand County General Manager of Corporate Services Karen General is recommending Council accepts and enters into a five-year contract with the OPP at the Option #2 level.

Service levels Options #1 and #2 were presented to the Haldimand County Police Services Board on December 2, 2009 due to their responsibilities under the contract and per the Police Services Act.

Following the discussion the Haldimand County Police Services Board passed the following motion:

“That Haldimand County Police Services Board supports Option #1 and is not supportive of officer reductions as per Option #2 and this position be relayed to Haldimand County Council immediately”.

Both Haldimand County Staff and the solicitor disagree with the position of the Haldimand County Police Services Board.

The main issue of disagreement according to the staff report is that although Option #1 would provide an enhanced level of policing service beyond the “minimum” required level at a cost of over $300,000.00 per year. Given the economic challenges facing the municipality and its taxpayers, this is difficult to justify given the issue of bodies and hours as outlined in the contract, states the report.

The above increases under option one or two are substantial; a tax levy increase of 2.4% and 1.75% respectively would be required.

The report goes on to further state regardless of the service option approved by council there will be a significant levy impact to be absorbed in 2010.

This will significantly affect the ability to meet the target “2%” overall tax increase that Council has established as a budget guideline for all County Services. Staff will need to determine a means of dealing with this increase; a significant tax levy impact should be expected states the report.

Haldimand County paid an estimated $5,559,872.00 for policing in 2002 and when the contract was negotiated in 2003 the cost for policing was estimated at $5,847,954.00.

Haldimand County Council will vote on the OPP contract on Thursday December 10th at the Budget Meeting that starts at 9:30am.

http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2212507

Haldimand "Warning, Reading this Could be Hazardous"

Make yourself a coffee before you read this, or maybe something a bit stronger. This is the hard core reality, and we will all be paying the price. Both articles are very well written.

This might just clarify why even though the people of Ontario seem to not want McGuinty to implement the new HST come July of 2010, it seems that there is a substantial reason why he is still persistent that this tax will come into force.

What is really interesting is the second article had 154 comments when I read it, if you have the time read some of the comments that are being posted they are quite interesting, just go to the link at the end of the article.



Consultants cost '$1M a day'
Dalton McGuinty blasted over 'bloated fees' to experts and hushed-up pay for top bureaucrats
Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau
Published On Wed Oct 21 2009

The Ontario government's consultant "habit" extends further than the $1 billion eHealth scandal, with new figures showing the provincial ministries alone spent $389 million on help from consultants last year, the NDP charged Tuesday.

The payouts gave the opposition parties another financial weapon to use against the Liberals, also under fire for hiding the salaries of highly paid bureaucrats in hospital budgets. That includes Premier Dalton McGuinty's $320,695-a-year climate-change guru.

The cash for consultants shows a free-spending attitude that taxpayers can no longer afford as the provincial deficit deepens in the recession, said New Democrat MPP Paul Miller (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek), who got the numbers in a request under freedom-of-information legislation.
"When is this premier going to say enough is enough? When is he finally going to end this government's $1-million-a-day addiction to consultants and their bloated fees?" Miller said during the Legislature's daily question period.

McGuinty brushed aside the questions, saying the government has reduced spending on consultants by 34 per cent since coming to power in 2003 and noted "governments of all stripes" have been relying on consultants "for some time" when special expertise is needed.

"I don't think it's particularly news."

The premier also defended the salary of his associate deputy minister Hugh MacLeod, who heads the climate-change secretariat, but was unable to point to any tangible achievements of the man who reports directly to him.

"That's a very important responsibility. It's one that hasn't received a lot of attention lately but as somebody once said, `the economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment' and we've been spending a lot of time talking about the economy lately. But as the economy grows stronger, more and more of our attention, that is the attention of humanity, will focus on the single greatest long-term challenge confronting us, and that is global warming and climate change," McGuinty told reporters Tuesday.

"So we think it's very important to have the capacity as a government to understand what is happening in the world, to understand our contribution to this challenge, to develop plans where we assume responsibility to reduce our contribution to climate change," he added.

"We're funding an office which is carrying out a very important responsibility for all of us."

An official in McGuinty's office said MacLeod coordinates the government's policies on climate change and sits on a cabinet committee studying the economy.

The new consultant figures, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and the latest available, served as a reminder of the eHealth Ontario scandal, which saw consultants who were paid up to $3,000 a day expensing for snacks like tea and cookies.

In a report two weeks ago, Auditor General Jim McCarter found the province has spent $1 billion to create electronic health records for patients – with little to show for it.

As well, McCarter found a too-heavy reliance on consultants who can cost more than hiring staff.
McGuinty agreed with that point and said the government is bringing more experts to work in-house.

Miller noted the $389 million does not include money spent on consultants at provincial agencies, boards and commissions, which could push the actual total higher.

Ontario faces "cuts to vulnerable kids, to unemployed workers, to community hospitals ... while well-connected consultants feast at the McGuinty government trough."

The biggest bill – $104 million – was for the ministry of government and consumer services. The health ministry, which was in charge of eHealth, spent $89 million.

"There are some things we need to hire consultants to do because it's a project" but other things should be done in-house to keep costs down, said new Health Minister Deb Matthews, appointed to the job earlier this month after the resignation of David Caplan over eHealth

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/713428--consultants-cost-1m-a-day


Ontario deficit billions more than expected
Largest-ever deficit in province
$24.7B - means difficult choices ahead, says Finance Minister Duncan


Ontario's already record budget shortfall has ballooned to a staggering $24.7 billion – billions higher than economists expected – and "difficult choices" loom, warns Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.

In the fall economic statement tabled Thursday in the Legislature, Duncan revised the deficit projection upward from the $18.5 billion he had announced in June (and the $14.1 billion in the March budget.)

Until earlier this year, the ignominious record was a $12.4 billion shortfall in the 1992 budget introduced by NDP finance minister Floyd Laughren.

"Due to this global recession, our economy is now the same size as it was in 2005. Tax revenues are also now at 2005 levels," Duncan told the House.

"Corporate tax revenues fell last year by an unprecedented 48.1 per cent – or over $6 billion," he said.

"At the same time the recession has driven up demand for government services."

That accounts for the deficit being far worse than the $22 billion leading bank economists had anticipated.

"The governments of Canada, the United States and some other provinces have all adjusted their deficit projections upward for the coming year," said Duncan, noting Ottawa's is $56 billion and Washington's is $1.5 trillion.

"Due to the impact of the global economy on Ontario and our government's desire to invest in the people of this province, the projected deficit is $24.7 billion in 2009-10," he said.

That's on a $113.7 billion budget, which includes $104.3 billion in spending on programs and $9.4 billion on interest paymentsto service a provincial debt that has skyrocketed to $137.9 billion.

Despite the gloomy picture, Duncan emphasized that the Liberals would continue their focus on the big-ticket priorities of health-care and education.

To that end, the government will announce its long-anticipated plans Tuesday for all-day junior and senior kindergarten for four- and five-year-olds.

"This initiative will further increase the competitive advantage already found in our highly skilled and educated workforce," the treasurer said.

"Full-day learning for our four- and five-year-olds will also help parents take advantage of new job opportunities," he said, conceding that the government will be "phasing in" the program, which could take years.

"Making this investment will require difficult choices on our part," said Duncan.
"And we will make them."

While he was vague Thursday, in a speech on Tuesday, the finance minister said a sweeping review of government programs would be coming in the next few months to determine where cuts can be made.

"We will call on our partners in the public and the broader public sector to help us sustain public services in the long term. We will also review all agencies, boards and commissions to ensure they are meeting Ontarians' needs and expectations," he said.

"We made the right choices for today. As Ontario comes out of the recession, we will eliminate the deficit and pay down debt to ensure the sustainability of the public services we all value."
However, Duncan did not offer a timetable for deficit reduction and elimination.

Opposition parties were flabbergasted at the new $24.7 billion deficit figure, which Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak called "a historically dismal performance" and warned it would boost each Ontario household's share of the total provincial debt to $13,500.

"The government was living high off the hog," Hudak thundered in the Legislature. "The McGuinty government is the problem. The problem will not be fixed until we replace the sad, worn out McGuinty government."

New Democrat finance critic Michael Prue said a deficit this large cannot come without dire consequences for both the public and public sector workers.

"I can read the code words," Prue said. "They can expect to get whacked in the months ahead."
On Wednesday, Premier Dalton McGuinty left open the possibility of unpaid furloughs for public servants, including teachers, bureaucrats, and nurses.

That echoed former NDP premier Bob Rae's "social contract" in 1993, which introduced the phrase "Rae Days" into the vernacular.

While the Liberals privately insist "Dalton Days" are not on the horizon, McGuinty has steadfastly refused to rule them out.

"We're just beginning this discussion," the premier said Wednesday when asked about Rae's response to a recession.

"I don't know. We've all got our own particular approaches obviously. I'll let people judge, but what I would say is that ... the next several months will be very important as we come up to our own particular approach to this."

Wayne Samuelson, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, said Wednesday he's worried the Liberals "are so freaked out about the deficit" they will force workers to take involuntary leave.

"They're heading for a $20 billion deficit and it doesn't look like they're ready to raise taxes and it's pretty clear that the economy is not going to grow so there's not going to generate extra money there," said Samuelson.

"You can (have furloughs for public servants) or you start privatizing services and selling things off."

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) urged the Liberals to resist the temptation to privatize or cut.

"Every dollar spent in the public sector not only provides a service that people need, but also provides income that supports families, communities and local businesses," OPSEU vice-president Patricia Rout said in a statement Wednesday.

"The track record of privatization is one of higher costs, reduced services, poorer jobs and structural deficits," said Rout.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/714276--ontario-deficit-billions-more-than-expected

Haldimand "MPMP Coming Soon"

County forms not filed
Posted By DONNA PITCHER
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
October 14, 2009

The Provincial Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP) is now in its tenth year. It requires all Ontario municipalities to file an annual report to the Province and to the public, setting out performance data on solid waste, sewers, water, transportation (roads and public transit), fire, police, land use, planning and general government. All Ontario municipalities are required to report MPMP results to local taxpayers no later than September 30th following the reporting year.

According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website the benefits of reporting performance measurement results to the public are significant: ranging from improved accountability to improved service delivery. The MPMP program should generate public interest into the decisions their councils make, encouraging further communication.

Municipalities are required to report MPMP results to the province through the Financial Information Return (FIR) by May 31st following each reporting year. Municipalities must also publish results for local taxpayers by September 30th using a format of their own choosing.

Many municipalities provide this information on their web sites. Others take out newspaper ads, mail the information or include performance measurement information in the property tax bill.

In a letter to all heads of Council from Minister Jim Watson in August of this year, he states "By publicly reporting their MPMP results, Ontario municipalities are achieving a level of transparency and accountability that has gained both national and international recognition".

In an interview with the Chronicle, Mayor Marie Trainer was under the impression that Haldimand County was in fact complying with the Province in respect to the MPMP program reporting requirements.

The treasurer of Haldimand County, Mark Merritt confirmed in an interview that Haldimand County does a Financial Information Return (FIR) every year but has never filed an MPMP return. Although the FIR and the MPMP are part and parcel of the same return, Merritt stated that due to timing and the lack of resources the county has never filed an MPMP.

Merritt anticipates that by the end of the year the MPMP results for 2008 will be completed and available for the public to view on the county website.

http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2119742

Haldimand "Council Makes First Nations Motion"

COUNCIL MAKES FIRST NATIONS MOTION
Posted By Donna Pitcher,
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
October 7, 2009

Councillor Buck Sloat submitted a notice of motion at Monday's Council in Committee meeting in regards to Haldimand County committees dealing with First Nation's issues. Council also voted to wave procedural bylaws to deal with this motion at Monday's meeting.

The motion deals with all First Nations established Committees in Haldimand County, and that all such committees be dissolved. Future meetings with First Nations will be co-ordinated through the Mayor's office with the applicable Ward Councillor, Council Committee Chair and Staff.

According to Sloat's motion these committees have held few meetings addressing issues that are directly related to their "initial" mandate and that agendas have not been established prior to the meetings.

Councillor Lorne Boyko was under the impression that this would be a reconsideration of a motion, that these committees have already been dissolved. Sloat clarified that this motion would encompass three committees that have not been dissolved. The three committees cover Planning issues, the Recovery Plan and the Native Relations Committee.

Boyko disagreed with Sloat's statement that there have been no agendas for these meetings. "This makes it look like to the public that we attended meetings with no agendas," said Boyko. Boyko was also concerned with the continuity of this motion if an issue crosses ward boundaries.

Councillor Tony Dalimonte supported the motion, and sees this as giving the Mayor's office as much flexibility as possible. Dalimonte also believes that there should be two or three issues on the table before a meeting is planned. "We need to sit face to face", to call one Councillor at a time is wasting our time, "lets get going here and do something" said Dalimonte.

"We have accomplished nothing, absolutely nothing with these committees," said Sloat. "Every time we go around and around and around the issues go beyond what the scope of the meeting was and we need to focus" said Sloat.

Boyko once again disagreed with Sloat's statements, and talked about some issues relating to the differences between our cultures.

In the reading of the final motion the statement was removed regarding agendas. Council voted in favour of the motion with a vote of 4-2, Grice and Boyko voted against the motion, Councillor Leroy Bartlett was not in attendance when this issue was discussed.

http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2046159

Haldimand "Governments need to be Accountable"

I can't believe that it has been this long since I have posted on my blog! Since I was appointed to the Haldimand County Disaster Relief Committee back in April and started working part time reporting for the Dunnville Chronicle in May, I haven't had much time to post. This is not to say that I am not interested in the politics of the day, quite the opposite.

Good news is that the Haldimand County Disaster Relief Committee is winding down as we have exceeded our goal! The flood victims will be paid out probably in late October.

Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand County sent a news release yesterday all about the Provincial governments lack "accountability", in regards to the OLG. I agree with Toby and Tim Hudak, demand all that money back! If that had been you or I in our jobs, we would not be treated the same as they have been!

Where is the accountability for OLG scandals?

by Toby Barrett, MPP


It’s disturbing on our return to Queens Park to see government bungling two spending scandals in which millions have been squandered by Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG), and at e-health. The difficulties at OLG represent the latest in a trail of missteps dating back some four years now.

It was 2005, when we began hearing rumours of “insider” wins and lottery sellers collecting a disproportionate share of winnings; in some cases, ripping off customers. The ugly truth was revealed through an independent probe launched by Ontario’s Ombudsman, Andre Marin. His report revealed that millions had been paid out to unscrupulous retailers, stating, “confidence in our lotteries is shattered.”

The fallout? A recommended 23 reforms and the exit of OLG chief executive Duncan Brown – he hightailed it with two year’s salary as severance before the report became public. The government then hired new CEO, Kelly McDougald, - the same Kelly McDougald who was fired by OLG this month.

The lottery payouts to insiders continue to the tune of $198 million since Marin’s expose.

Last March, OLG was reprimanded for giving away foreign-made, as opposed to domestic, luxury cars in its ‘License to Win’ promotion at a time when our domestic auto sector was struggling. Criticism prompted the lottery corporation to launch a review of the annual promotion.

As well, questions surrounding OLG tendering practices including the incidence of untendered contracts have emerged, leading government to stop payment on two casino projects in Brantford and Ajax, worth about $30 million.

And the most recent OLG bombshell reveals expense accounts for items and services that have no business being expensed. It seems we, as taxpayers, have been footing the bill for expenses like car washes, $500 for a nanny, and $3,713.77 for a night out for 38 people.

While Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has indicated he is, “disappointed with what has been brought to my attention”, and the entire OLG board has resigned, the fact remains it’s time for government to take some responsibility.

A good first step would be to get some, or better yet all, of that misspent money back.

Ombudsman Marin has called on the OLG to launch civil suits to regain some of the millions in insider wins, and Opposition Leader Tim Hudak has demanded Mr. McGuinty order the reimbursement of fraudulent, excessive and unreasonable expenses billed by OLG execs.

For its part, government has introduced the Public Sector Expenses Review Act to give the Integrity Commissioner new powers to oversee expenses of senior officials – this is asking a staff of nine, in addition to their regular jobs, to now analyze the expense accounts of 80,000 bureaucrats. While the goal sounds admirable, it doesn’t do anything to address this government’s culture of waste entrenched in the current regime.

As Mr. Hudak stated this past week, "I actually believe in ministerial accountability. The buck stops at the minister's desk. If the minister can't set the tone how the lunch money is spent, how do we expect them to oversee hospitals, highways or schools in our province?"

It’s clear the shuffling and firing of CEO's in the wake of each scandal will not fix the lack of leadership in the Ontario Government. It’s time for a Cabinet Minister to show some accountability.

Haldimand "Threat of Nuclear Plant is Hurting Local Economy"

Threat of Nuclear Plant is Hurting Local Economy
by Jim Elve of Waterford

On June 28, the Ontario government suspended plans to deploy two new nuclear reactors at Darlington. Even with a bottomless public purse, the costs were deemed too high.

On July 1, the largest energy company in the US, Exelon, dropped plans to build a two-reactor plant in Victoria, Texas. The costs were too high.

In April, another large American energy company, St. Louis-based AmerenUE suspended work on a reactor in Missouri. Costs were too high.

On July 2, New Brunswick revealed that the refurbishment project at the Point Lepreau nuclear station was eight months behind schedule and more than $100 million over budget.

On June 8, secret papers left at a CTV studio revealed that the refurbishment of reactors at Bruce Power’s Kincardine plant is over a year behind schedule and between $300 and $600 million over budget.

On June 11, Prime Minister Harper's chief spokesman, Kory Teneycke, said Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. is a "dysfunctional," $30-billion "sinkhole" that will not get any more federal funding.

As of July 1, Areva’s Olkiluoto nuclear energy project in Finland was 42 months behind schedule and 60% over budget.

The new generation of nuclear development is proving to be a lot like the previous generation: too costly to deserve either private or public investment. The much-touted “nuclear renaissance” is proving to be just so much hype from a highly polished and well-heeled sales force intent on lobbying for a dubious, if not absurd, new round of fruitless investment.

Here in Haldimand-Norfolk, we are being lured with the same empty hook. Bruce Power’s bid to build a two-reactor plant with private capital is every bit as financially ill-advised as the aforementioned projects. The pie-in-the-sky promise of 1000 high paid jobs is as believable as the promises that the new generation of reactors would be built on time and on budget.

About three weeks ago, Ontario Energy Minister George Smitherman reiterated in no uncertain terms that Ontario is not supporting Bruce’s Nanticoke proposal and that the province has no intention of purchasing any electricity that might be created at a possible Nanticoke nuclear plant. We simply do not need it. Ontario already has a surplus of baseload nuclear energy and on over 200 occasions in 2009, we’ve actually paid industrial customers to use it… after we paid the nuclear plants to produce it.

Last week, a Bruce Power spokesperson told Saskatchewan residents that a nuclear plant could not be built in their province without the support and stability offered by a firm provincial government commitment. Indeed, no nuclear project has ever been built without massive taxpayer support.

Despite the lack of financial backing and the strong probability that no plant will ever be built at Nanticoke, Bruce Power continues to press on with the Environmental Assessment it began last November. The nuclear Sword of Damocles continues to damage our local economy by scaring away potential new residents and driving away long time citizens.

Surveys taken by MPP Toby Barrett over a three year period indicate that 76% of H-N residents are opposed to a new nuclear plant. New residents echo the same sentiment over and over; if they’d been aware that a nuclear plant was being proposed 6 km from downtown Port Dover, they would have bought their retirement homes elsewhere. Instead of helping our local economy with future jobs, jobs, jobs, the threat of a nuclear plant is stifling growth and curtailing employment for our existing local tradesmen and businesses.

Both Bruce Power and Premier McGuinty have assured us that they will not pursue nuclear development in anything but a “willing host community”. We can permanently remove the growth-inhibiting threat of a nuclear plant by urging our municipality, through resolutions by Norfolk and Haldimand County Councils declaring that we are not a willing host.

Haldimand and Norfolk residents can contact their democratic representatives on county councils and tell them to remove this threat that is already damaging our local economy. The hollow promise of future jobs relies on nuclear investors being hoodwinked into investing here when they are dropping the nuclear hot potato everywhere else. If it won’t happen, let’s make it clear to real investors that were driving unprecedented growth in Port Dover before the spectre of a nuclear plant loomed on the horizon.

Haldimand "New Nuclear Power Plant Project goes to Review Panel"

Environment Minister Refers Nanticoke New Nuclear Power Plant Project to a Review Panel

OTTAWA, June 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice
announced today that the proposed Nanticoke New Nuclear Power Plant Project in
Haldimand County, Ontario will undergo an environmental assessment by an
independent review panel.

"I am confident that an independent review panel will fully consider the
environmental issues related to the proposed project and make sound
recommendations to the federal government," said Minister Prentice. "This will
be the best means of addressing public concerns pertaining to this major
nuclear project."

The Minister's decision is based on a recommendation made by the Canadian
Nuclear Safety Commission.

The project is a proposal by Bruce Power Erie Inc. to construct and
operate up to two new nuclear reactors and associated facilities, in the
former municipality of Nanticoke, Ontario, for the generation of 2200 to 3200
megawatts of electricity. The proposed site is located on the north shore of
Lake Erie in Haldimand County.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is making
available up to $100,000 in participant funding to assist individuals or
groups to take part in the environmental assessment process. This funding will
help successful applicants in Phase I of the process to review and comment on
the draft guidelines for the environmental impact statement (EIS) and draft
joint review panel agreement. In Phase II, additional funds will be made
available to help applicants review the EIS and prepare for and participate in
the public hearings. Funding applications for Phase I received by July 27,
2009 will be considered.

Information on the funding program, the proposed project and on the
environmental assessment process is available on the Agency's Web site at
www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, under registry number 08-03-43757.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal
environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects
of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of
sustainable development.

For further information: Media: Annie Roy, Senior Communications
Advisor, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, (613) 957-0396

Haldimand "Keep Off our Lawn, pair tells Fledgling Caledonia Militia"

It is strange how a story can grow it's own legs. Well this one certainly has.

I wrote an article for the Dunnville Chronicle about the Caledonia Militia. The incident that I was speaking of that triggered these events was Ernie Palmer. He owns property just outside of Caledonia where a smoke shack has been erected. Now I might add that this is a different scenario than the rest of the smoke shacks as this one is on private property.

I know a close friend of Ernies and when I asked about getting a hold of him for an interview I was told that he just wanted to be left alone. He will deal with this situation on his own. So I respected his wishes and never attempted to contact him. Other media outlets did and the story has grown it's own legs. Thank goodness I stayed away from that one. Although I guess I am not a very good reporter for not pushing.

The whole issue of Ernie's property has been, he said she said they said. Everyone seems to have different factual information. So today in a Toronto newspaper everything seems to be crystal clear. There is a picture of Ernie and Powless smiling and hitting their fists together. (I cannot put pics up on my site.)

Keep off our lawn, pair tells fledgling Caledonia 'militia'

PETER EDWARDS/TORONTO STAR
Ernie Palmer is okay with Stephen Powless running smoke shop on his land.


Jun 19, 2009 04:30 AM
Peter Edwards
Staff Reporter

CALEDONIA–Ernie Palmer says he's smoking mad at locals who want to set up a "Caledonia Militia" in part to protect him from natives running a discount smoke shop on his front lawn.

"We have the OPP if there is lawlessness," the retiree said yesterday in an interview on his 19-hectare property on Highway 6.

However, he doesn't foresee any need for anyone to protect him from Oshweken resident Stephen (Boots) Powless, 44, one of the smoke shack's proprietors.

"I have found (Powless) a very nice man," said Palmer, who came to Canada from Hungary in 1957. "We have drunk so much coffee we're swimming. ... I have a good dialogue with Boots."

While he didn't invite Powless to set up on his land, Palmer said he respects the attempt to reinforce the assertion that native land claims can't be extinguished.
At one point in an interview on Palmer's lawn, Powless joined in and aimed a squirt gun at the property owner as if taking him hostage, which caused Palmer to burst out laughing.

Powless calls Palmer a friend, but said the area could have a long, hot summer of racial tension if the militia idea catches on.

"I have never run from anyone," he said. "If they come here looking for a fight, they'll get one.

"Hopefully, things remain peaceful," he added.

He said he was willing to leave Palmer's property until he read on the Internet of the plans to set up a local militia.

Organizers stated their right to remove "illegal trespassers" from local properties.
"Trespassers will be arrested and turned over to the OPP," the Internet announcement said.

As for the militia, "hotheads need not apply," the announcement said.

One of the organizers, Doug Fleming, also feels local racial tensions could come to a boil this summer.

"I think people are less resilient," said the 47-year-old, who installs pools and cuts firewood seasonally.

He acknowledged some may have problems with the term "militia."

"It conjures up images of shotguns and rifles," he said. "We're going to discourage (recruits) who are looking for a fight."

The OPP says it opposes formation of a local militia.

Insp. Dave Ross dismissed criticism that the OPP haven't kept law and order, noting the 148 charges laid against 61 people since early 2006, when protests began against a housing development on Douglas Creek land claimed by Six Nations.

"Our role is to act in an appropriate manner to monitor the peace and act in the best interests of everyone involved," Ross said.

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/653395

Haldimand "Caledonia Militia being Formed"

Caledonia Militia being formed
Posted By DONNA PITCHER, FOR THE CHRONICLE
June 17, 2009

A citizens group called the Caledonia Militia is being formed by Caledonia resident Doug Fleming.

Fleming said in a recent release the group is being formed due to the ongoing reality that the OPP refuses to enforce the Criminal Code with regards to people's property rights.

Fleming has the backing and support of Gary McHale, of Caledonia Wake Up Call and President of Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality (CANACE).

The idea has been rolling around for about three years said Fleming in an interview with The Chronicle Tuesday morning.

"I wish that we didn't have the need to do this, we are not here to add to the trouble, we are here to help."

Fleming realizes that the name Militia will conjure up images of guys toting guns. This couldn't be farther from the truth, we are following in the spirit of the Guardian Angels, a group of unarmed citizens that will have cool heads, adhere to the law and exercise restraint.

A recent incident in Caledonia triggered Fleming to officially kick things off.

"This has nothing to do with land claims, this is to do with law enforcement and is a reflection of the shortcomings of the OPP", said Fleming.

Next Tuesday, an information session will be held at the Cayuga Lion's Hall starting at 7 p. m. No "hotheads" are allowed. Interested parties will be screened said Fleming with the intentbe a law abiding group not a goon squad.

McHale will do a presentation on Sections 38-42 of the Criminal Code. This section of the code relates to the rights of a citizen to place an individual under arrest when law enforcement fails to do so.

"CANACE will support this group" if the group adheres strictly to the law, McHale said in an interview Monday evening. "Serious self-control will be required, this is not to have boxing matches between people."

If someone is on private property and breaking the law, the members of the militia will use reasonable force and arrest the individual breaking the law and transport them into the custody of the OPP.

"This is all Caledonia needs" according to Haldimand County OPP Inspector Dave McLean. "This group will serve no good."

This is just another attempt of a few individuals to aggravate the situation without all the proper information. This group is just trying to discredit the OPP said McLean.

Article ID# 1615957
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1615957

Haldimand "Nanticoke Nuclear Bid goes to Review Panel"

Nanticoke nuclear bid goes to review panel

Bruce Power Erie wants to build two reactors

May 07, 2009 NANTICOKE – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has asked the Minister of Environment to refer the environmental assessment of Bruce Power’s proposal to build two nuclear reactors in the industrial area of Haldimand County to a review panel.

The commission says in a statement late Wednesday an assessment is required before it can consider Bruce Power’s licence application and has concluded that public and stakeholder concerns warrant that a request be made to the minister for an early referral to a review panel.

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 be closed in 2014.

The province is not endorsing the proposal, but it has support of Haldimand and Norfolk council’s, local MPs and federal cabinet minister Diane Finley.

A review panel is a group of experts selected and appointed by the minister of the environment.The commission said it has considered Bruce Power Erie's project description, the views already expressed by the public, interest groups, Aboriginal groups and in media reports on previous major nuclear projects, as well as its own experience with consultation on major nuclear projects and decided “…public and stakeholder concerns warrant that a request be made to the minister for an early referral to a review panel.”

A group calling itself Grand Erie Energy Quest has launched a petition requesting a moratorium on nuclear development in Nanticoke because its members feel there has not been sufficient public discussion of contamination, cost and security issues.

Jim Elve, spokesperson for the group, said today the commission decision comes as no surprise. “its the next step,” he said.Grand Erie Energy Quest, which expects its petition to gain momentum with better canvassing in good weather, wants the questions of contamination , cost and most importantly disposal of nuclear waste generated by the plant given a full airing, he said.

“We want to know just where you’re going to put it ... forever,” said Elve.

Elve said the group’s visibility in Haldimand and Norfolk rising as more and more of its dandelion yellow signs are popping up on lawns.

Bruce Power Erie applied in October 2008 for a licence to prepare a site for the future construction and operation of two nuclear reactors to potentially generate between 2,200 and 3,200 megawatts of electricity to the Ontario grid.

The application for a licence to prepare a site is the first in a series of applications to build and operate a new nuclear power plant, as part of the CNSC licensing process.

http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/561949

Haldimand "Flood Committee Appointed"

Flood committee starts work next week

Nine volunteers bring wide variety of talent to relief efforts

Posted By KAREN BEST ,
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Posted 15 hours ago

Haldimand County council unanimously agreed to a slate of volunteers who will guide disaster relief over the rest of the year.

"I'm just very pleased with the abilities of these people," said Coun. Lorne Boyko. "The cross section of the folks who have been appointed - that's a terrific talent pool."

In a special council meeting on March 23, council members discussed proposed membership of the county's disaster relief committee.

"There was unanimous support," reported Boyko. "The selection process went without a hitch. Everybody was on side. It was nice to see that refreshing spirit of cooperation."

Coun. Buck Sloat was glad to see relief efforts moved from the political to the community volunteer level.

A day after council's decision, municipal advisor Maureen Beatty of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs contacted Dunnville resident Kim Hessels. She told The Chronicle that the ministry has tentatively scheduled launching the committee on March 30.

At that meeting, the ministry will outline responsibilities which include fundraising, advertising for relief applications, reviewing requests and settling eligible claims for flood damage. A bank account will be opened for donations and tax receipts will be provided.

Along with Hessels, the other committee members from Dunnville are Bernie Corbett, Brett Kelly, Joanne Falletta and Ken Egger. They will work with Donna Pitcher of South Cayuga, Don Edwards of Caledonia, Victoria Young of Cayuga and Marie Maas of Fisherville.

The nine committee members will carry out relief efforts through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.

Based on reports by ministry staff and an insurance adjuster, Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson declared on March 13 a provincial disaster in flooded zones from the Cayuga bridge to Port Maitland. Six days later ministry officials asked council members to appoint the committee as soon as possible so fundraising efforts can begin while the effects of flooding were fresh on people's minds.

"The whole program is only as successful as the fundraising campaign," ministry local government manager Roger Moyer told council.

For members of the committee, success is rooted in their intention to help. Some witnessed the fury of river flooding first hand.

On Feb. 13, Bernie Corbett was walking with a friend in the lower river marsh when the water swiftly rose.

"Where there was dry land I was walking in water up to my knees," he told The Chronicle a day after he notified of his appointment to the committee. "For all my years in Dunnville, I have never seen water come up so high."

He knew this resulted in considerable damage along the Grand River.

"If I can be of assistance in ensuring (flood victims) get help, I would be glad to do that," said Corbett.

He wondered if a monetary figure could be put on volunteer work and materials provided for repairing the home of Lynn and Blair White.

Based on information provided by Moyer, material donations will not be eligible for matching provincial funding.

Corbett, who is a retired Stelco employee, will bring three decades of municipal government experience to the committee. For six years, he was a Town of Dunnville employee. He spent time working as the deputy clerk-treasurer, welfare administrator and secretary of the committee of adjustment before working for six years as a regional social services field worker.
In 1983, Corbett was elected as ward councillor and served for three consecutive terms. After a term as mayor, he was elected as a regional councillor and then a ward councillor. In 2000, he stepped down from council to serve on the Haldimand Norfolk transition board which dismantled the former Haldimand Norfolk region to create two counties.

For more than five years, he was a member of the Haldimand County Hydro board including a term as chair.

While volunteering at the White home, Joanne Falletta, who is an Investors Group consultant, was asked by Dunnville Chamber of Commerce president Carolyn Chymko to consider sitting on the disaster committee.

Falletta agreed. It's all about helping the community and showing support, the chamber member told The Chronicle.

"I'm always happy to help. We'll see what can be done," she said.

Around supper time on Feb. 13, Falletta was returning from St. Catharines and managed to get through Broad Street near Brant Street as it was filling up with water. Emergency workers were getting ready to close the street, she recalled.

The day before council appointed her, she was at the White's home moving damaged items in preparation for the free large garbage pick up on March 28.

With lots of experience in assorted fundraising events, Falletta was eager to drive some of those for the relief effort.

She wanted to see the first fundraising event happen as soon as possible and will pursue opportunities over the next few weeks.

When a call went out for construction material donations and volunteer labour, Donna Pitcher bought insulation and showed up ready to work on March 14, a month after the water receded from the White's home.

"I was humbled by helping the Whites and by seeing how difficult it was for Lynn to handle all this help," said Pitcher who, like other members, is honoured to be on the relief committee.

A few days after that work bee, she dropped by to leave Lynn a stress relief kit.

When Pitcher heard about council's unanimous decision about committee members, she was choked up. "It proves the point that people can set aside their personal feelings and do the right thing," she said.

For her, volunteering on the committee was a simple matter of helping out neighbours. "I just think it's just the right thing to do. I hope we can accomplish our task in one year," she added.

Based on the preliminary estimate of $1.7 million in flood damages, the committee faces the unbelievable target of raising $600,000, she pointed out. The provincial government will match each dollar raised by at least $1.70.

She said the county's share of damage relief cannot be raised just by the local community but she was ready to put her shoulder against what looked like a daunting task.

"I will give everything I can," stated Pitcher. "When I get involved in something, I give it my all."

In 2004 and 2005, she was instrumental in launching a petition and building community support for retention of the municipality's Haldimand County Hydro company. Council dropped its effort to sell the utility in February 2005.

When she sits down with the other eight committee members, she will bring her communications skills and years of sales experience.

"I'm not afraid to ask for things. When it comes to other people who are in need, I shine," she told The Chronicle. "My responsibility is to make people understand the need is there. With this list of people (on the committee), this will run very smoothly."

Victoria Young saw river flats disappear under high water on Feb. 13 so she was not surprised to hear about the extent of damages to seasonal and permanent residences in Cayuga and Dunnville. "I called Buck (Sloat) after the flood to see what I could do," she said.

When the search began for disaster relief committee members, he called her and she agreed to serve. "It's the right thing do do," Young told The Chronicle adding that she is prepared to expend the time and effort required on committee work.

"For me, it was a opportunity to help rebuild what Mother Nature has taken away from us," she said.

A Cayuga Chamber of Commerce director, Young said this organization is looking at ways to help people whose cottages and trailers were damaged. Seasonal accommodations are not eligible for provincial financial assistance.

Sloat was also ready to get behind efforts to help the ineligible victims and mentioned that the chamber will host a benefit event for them.

In an effort to prevent damage to boaters this spring, he asked county staff to request the Grand River Conservation Authority to issue a warning about floating debris in the river.

Self-described as an issue spotter, Young will read the situation and niches selected by other committee members and then fill in where the need is. And she does not want to waste any time on getting started. "Every day is another day lost," she added.

After Coun. Don Ricker asked her about joining the committee, Kim Hessels did not expect to be selected. Hearing she was a member was a pleasant surprise.

"I think that something needs to be done for the people affected by the flood," she said. "This is just a great close knit community and I help where I can. I am honoured to be involved."
A mother of three children under 12 years of age, she will juggle her time to meet responsibilities with them and the committee. An active member of her church, Hessels will also draw on her community experience as president of the Dunnville Right to Life Association and earlier work with a homeless shelter in St. Catharines.

Along with her community experience, she will bring business skills grown in her family's company, Hessels Farm Supply Ltd. Hessels described herself as a grain merchandiser. "I'm used to working with people at a charitable and business level," she said.

After returning her call to Beatty of the municipal affairs ministry on March 25, Hessels committed to attend the committee's inaugural meeting on March 30. "What's most important is getting moving on it," she said of relief efforts.

Brett Kelly has worked for the Ontario government for years. He is currently employed in the health care and screening division of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Don Edwards has participated in volunteer efforts at the West Haldimand General Hospital and is a staff member at the local office of Haldimand Norfolk MP Diane Finley.

Article ID# 1497672
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1497672

Haldimand "They Want to Help"

Great article by Karen Best!

They want to help

Posted By KAREN BEST , CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Posted 17 hours ago

The need is great and people in Dunnville are moving ahead to fill it because they want to help. After Grand River flood levels dropped, home and business owners surveyed damage and began to clean up efforts. In many cases, relatives, neighbours and friends were at their side.

Soon there was an up swelling of support from the Dunnville Chamber of Commerce, Coun. Lorne Boyko, real estate agents, service clubs, contractors and individuals.

Boyko, Dunnville chamber president Carolyn Chymko and Royal LePage Niagara realtors Mike Dilse, Allan Judson and Ken Robertson will volunteer at fundraisers.

On behalf of the realtors, Boyko mailed out Brick discount coupons to people living in flood zones. In the same package was a Laverty Home Furnishings coupon.

The realtors felt compelled to help and were glad to do so because they are part of the community.

"People are coming out of the woodwork," said Sandy Passmore of the chamber. "People are tired of waiting."

"The chamber definitely wants to help out our community," said Chymko.

So do many others. They want to help and they are and will even though Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson had not yet declared a disaster along the river from Cayuga to Port Maitland. Haldimand County council expected to hear from him by March 13.

After contacted by The Chronicle, flood assistance was discussed at a Dunnville Royal Canadian Legion Branch 142 meeting.

Members decided to host a May 2 benefit dance with entertainment provided by True Country. The legion will donate the hall and all event proceeds will go toward flood assistance, said legion president Lionel Ford. A few more ideas including raffles and draws are in the works.

"We're going to work on it. We jumped right in on that," he said.

Dunnville Optimist Club members will pitch in with personal and club donations, said club president Jim Smreker. After the Dunnville Lioness meeting on March 11, president Pat Merritt said, "We're on board," said president Pat Merritt. "We'll help anyway we can."

On March 12, Dunnville Rotary president Kim Tamburri raised flood assistance at a club meeting. She hoped that services clubs will work together on an event that can make a great impact.

Other examples of empathy and generosity surfaced.

Senior citizens living across from Lynn and Blair White took up a collection for them. They are among a larger group stepping forward to help the couple who have no insurance. Their Main Street home, which is in the flood zone and is not insurable, severely damaged by the flood.

Ron Speer and Amanda Lane paid for tipping fees for dumpsters donated free by Ed Passmore.

When flooding eased off last month, Jeff Carpenter went door to door in Cayuga and Dunnville to let people know he can renovate damaged homes. When he and his spouse Tammy Carpenter went to the White's door, Lynn was in tears dumping out her furniture.

So she and Jeff working with Ed Timmerman and Chymko decided to host this family and are in the process of making repairs happen.

"That's what people do - help your neighbour," said Tammy.

Jeff has enjoyed business success as has Tammy so both want to give back to the community. It's as simple as pulling together to help people get their lives back to normal, he added.
Industrial dehumidifiers have been running in the home since Feb. 16. When the wooden slats resting on a concrete pad are dry enough to prevent mould, a new sub-floor will be rebuilt.

Donating his time and labour for free, Jeff is seeking material and financial assistance. This week, Timmerman distributed letters in town to ask for essential materials. This includes insulation, drywall, wall receptacles, laminate flooring, drywall screws, tuck tape, sheet rock 90, vinyl flooring, vapour barrier and six gallons of paint of three different colours. Jeff can be reached at 905-961-9912.

Jeff also said St. Paul Anglican Church is also helping the White family. Wendy Legendre said that several members of Jubilee Faith Centre have volunteered their time to assist the Whites in getting their home back in good order.

A working bee is expected this weekend.

In the mean time, the chamber had arranged for temporary accommodations in a Lake Erie cottage. Due to work and transportation issues, the location was not suitable for the White family, said Passmore. The chamber then began to look for a trailer that can be parked on the White property.

Seeing made a difference for Ruth Swann and Donna Pitcher.

Swann and her spouse John Upshall arrived in Dunnville on Feb. 14, turned on the heat in their Lake Erie cottage and came back to town to survey flood activity. On Sunday, she left a message offering a donation of a month's accommodations at a few local real estate offices.

After hearing the Whites could not use a cottage, Swann said the offer stood for anyone else who needed it.

On Feb. 13, Donna and Ted Pitcher spent the day in Cayuga and Dunnville.

"This was a disaster. I saw it happen," she said. "I can't imagine being in the position of leaving my house with just my clothes on my back and then coming back to see my personal items destroyed."

"The only thing we can do as a community is to help out," Donna added.

Willing to volunteer and experienced in fundraising, she wanted to become a member of the disaster relief assistance committee if a provincial disaster is declared in the county.

"Fundraising activities, whether or not the county is eligible for a disaster declaration, can be underway now," said Roger Moyer.

"If and when the minister declares a disaster, those funds will be eligible to be matched up to a 2 to 1 ratio," added the manager of local government in the ministry's London office.

If an announcement is not made by March 13, Boyko encouraged all groups and individuals who want to hold fundraising events to go ahead.

To ensure raised money will qualify for twice as much in provincial funds, he asked groups to open separate flood relief bank accounts and record amounts collected. Council has already made arrangements to hold a special council meeting if a designation is granted.

Article ID# 1476258
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1476258

Haldimand "Province Declares Disaster"

Provincial disaster declaration opens gates to financial relief

People in flooded Dunnville and Cayuga areas can still apply

Posted By BY KAREN BEST
Posted 1 hour ago
BY KAREN BEST

A Dunnville councillor and the Dunnville Chamber of Commerce president were thrilled to learn late Friday afternoon that financial assistance was on the way for flood victims.

After 3 p.m. on March 13, Coun. Lorne Boyko, who initiated the search for provincial funding, received an email stating that Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Jim Watson declared a disaster in the flooded areas of Dunnville and Cayuga.

"Great news!" Boyko said when interviewed by The Chronicle.

"Now the real work will begin and that's the raising of funds by the community," he noted. "But I know the community is up to it."

Chamber president Carolyn Chymko, like Boyko, was sure the province would help and was thrilled to learn she was right.

"I just received a $100 cheque and now it's worth $300," she said.

The same welcome multiplication will be applied to a $10,000 donation from Bruce Power president Duncan Hawthorne. Mayor Marie Trainer received confirmation of the donation on Friday.

After a disaster designation is made, the province, through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program, will provide two dollars for every one dollar raised by residents. The fund will be built up to 90 per cent of loss values to avoid a surplus. Based on early estimates from 60 home and business owners, damages added up to $1.7 million.

People who live in the recognized disaster areas and have not yet applied for assistance can still do so. To obtain further information call the county administration office at 905-318-5932.

As soon as possible, Mayor Marie Trainer will call a special meeting so disaster relief committee members can be selected from a list of willing residents. Once struck, the committee will follow provincial guidelines, review and appraise applications, oversee fundraising and distribute funds.
Flood damage occurred a month ago. On Feb. 13, three ice jams backed up Grand River water over its banks starting in Cayuga. The other jams were between Cayuga and Dunnville and between the Dunnville dam and Port Maitland.

Water rose by six feet in Dunnville but flowed away when the Canadian Coast Guard ice breaker Griffon opened up a waterway to Lake Erie.

While Lynn and Blair White seem to be the poster family for the flood, many people were suffering quietly as they deal with their own damaged properties, said Boyko.

He credited Chymko for spearheading efforts to help the Whites who live in the flood plain and do not qualify for house insurance.

The chamber president, other chamber members and volunteers and several residents teamed up to remove damaged drywall and floors. Jeff Carpenter and Ed Timmerman put out a letter asking for donations of construction materials. Many were received over two days and repairs are expected to begin soon in the home of the Whites.

Article ID# 1478004
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1478004

Haldimand "Solar-Flexus Ltd talks about Energy Conservation"

The following is a letter to the Editor written by Bill Stewart of Haldimand County and some information on how you can contact him.

Bill’s letter was never printed in the paper and he had hoped that this information would get out to people in Haldimand. So I contacted Bill for more information on his company and the Energy Savings Program. I also did a bit of research myself and what a great program! If you are looking into renovations to make you’re home more efficient this is it!

Thanks Bill for the information and I will post your letter to the editor.

The following is some information on The Ontario Home Energy Savings Program.

The Government of Ontario will pay half of your pre-retrofit audit, up to $150.

After your first audit, you have 18 months to complete some or all of the improvements suggested by your energy advisor to qualify for government rebates.

After your post-retrofit audit, the Governments of Ontario and Canada will each rebate up to $5,000 for your energy efficient upgrades. The more energy-saving upgrades you make, the more money you’ll get back, up to a total of $10,000.

More info at this site: http://www.homeenergyontario.ca/stripes_en.asp

Thanks Bill for this information; It details the Audit process, and takes you through the steps to get started in the Green Energy Initiative that Canada and most of the Provinces have initiated. The Federal Government site for downloading energy rebate forms, and applications for those rebates, is at: http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/commercial/financial-assistance/existing/retrofits/forms.cfm?attr=20

Bills states; It all makes for a win-win situation for those who can see the future path of energy conservation and the savings on energy expenditures for what is basically, FREE energy. I am really proud of the product and the quality of the individual components that make up a Solar Hot Water Heater unit. The fact that its an extremely low-maintenance system designed for a 25 year life cycle, and that it would probably exceed that expected life cycle by 15 to 20 years because of the quality of it's components.

I can be contacted by the following methods.

Mail: Solar-Flexus ltd.,
1475 Lakeshore Road, Selkirk,
Ontario N0A 1P0
By phone: (905) 778-2267
By email: solarflexus@porchlight.ca

I am still working on a website for the business and that may be addressed in the near future. Thanks again, Donna, Bill Stewart for: SOLAR-FLEXUS

I write this letter in response to the article by Bill Jackson on Nuclear Power generation in the January 28, 2009 "This Week"... I attended the Nuclear Power Symposium (open house) at the Jarvis Community Centre, back in November of '08, to gather facts and raise some questions regarding the Nuclear Plant process... I wasn't surprised when, over the course of the presentations, and the question period that followed, the senses of the attendees went from uncommitted, to decidedly Anti-Nuclear... It was pointed out that a million gallons of Diesel fuel are burned in the mining, transportation, and processing of just "one" pound of high-grade Uranium nuclear fuel (the Nuclear Industry "Lip-speak" for "we have created 100 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide to get this one pound of environmentally GREEN fuel.)"Estimated direct and indirect emissions for the Bruce New Nuclear Power Plant Project in Kincardine (approximately 4,000 MW) were less than 0.015% of Ontario's overall emissions."... A bold faced lie excerpted from the"Nanticoke Nuclear Power Plant Environmental Assessment" document (document id #2761) from the Bruce Power website (www.brucepower.com)

The infrastructure needed to build the Nuke Plant would be 10-20 years in construction... The figure of 4 billion dollars, that is being thrown around so cavalierly by the Nuke Industry for the construction of the plant, would only pay for the footings in the overall costs carried over the life of the construction cycle... The real cost would be in the upper 80 billion-dollar mark, and, provide the most expensive electrical energy in the world.

Yes, the Ontario Government would subsidize the costs of the electricity,but, out of the tax-base of Ontarians who will pay for the expensive wages, and monitoring, and fuel mining/production, and storage (on site) of the spent radioactive fuel, and a large, very large, spin media to make even more Nuke Plants seem so "Environmentally Clean"...Yes, I am aware that the other presenters at the symposium offered"Alternative" Electrical Production methodologies, and that many of the alternative methods were very expensive per Kilowatt to produce, but not one was as expensive as the Nuclear industry's "Lobby" would have us believe.

Wind energy presenters made a valid presentation; as well the Solar Industry(of which my business is a part of) made a very plausible presentation. Even the Agricultural Industry had made a great presentation on "Biomass"inclusion to the coal-fired Electrical Generation Process.

The point is, that we need "truth" to come out in the process of selecting choices for electrical generation in Ontario, not "spin" from the Nuclear Lobby...We need to look at the green alternatives in energy and water"Conservation" as well...

What about a Solar Water Heater, that could save 1.5 Kilowatts of energy per hour, during daylight, per household in Ontario?

In July 2008, the state of Hawaii made it "mandatory" for all new construction of houses to have a Solar Water Heater installed... British Columbia started "SolarBC" in the same month to encourage the use of Solar Water Heaters to conserve energy...

Ontario gives a $500 rebate on the costs of purchasing and installing a Solar Water Heater (only about $3000) and the Federal Government gives another $500 rebate with the string attached that you must have an"Energy Audit" of your premises to point out other energy savings and losses...

Very few in the Haldimand area have taken advantage of these incentives, which to me, borders on APATHY regarding knowledge of energy budgeting per household... Green energy choices ARE available, for the homeowner, as cheaper, free, and environmentally cleaner sources of energy,and not the expensively soaring costs of traditional energy sources.

"William J. Stewart,
C/O of Solar-Flexus, Selkirk,
Ontario N0A 1P0
Tel.: (905) 776-2267

Haldimand "John Tory Defeated"

John Tory to quit today: Sources

Niagara's Hudak a possible successor

March 06, 2009
Daniel Nolan
Rob Ferguson and Robert Benzie

LINDSAY - John Tory will announce today that he is stepping down as Progressive Conservative leader, the Star has learned, his political career brought to a screeching halt as he lost a hard-fought by-election to the Liberals in cottage country.

Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Conservative Toby Barrett is already talking up a replacement for Tory as party leader. Barrett says Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP Tim Hudak will likely run to succeed Tory in an upcoming leadership convention. It is possible Tory could hold on as leader in the wake of his loss, but Barrett finds that "highly unlikely" and he expects Tory's resignation, possibly as early as today."I would expect that we're into another Progressive Conservative leadership race and Tim's a good (candidate)," Barrett said last night from his Port Dover home, where he was watching the byelection results on the evening news."He's very competent and I know him very well. We've got a good one in Tim Hudak."

Tory, who had candidly admitted during the campaign that he would be in "a very difficult circumstance" unless he won, surrendered the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock riding that has been solidly Conservative since the mid-1990s to local school trustee and musician Rick Johnson."Obviously, I am very disappointed," Tory, gracious in defeat, told hushed supporters in his concession speech above a Greek restaurant shortly before 11 p.m."But the voters can never be wrong in what they decide and I respect their decision."

A highly placed Conservative source confirmed Tory would reveal his plans to step aside at a Queen's Park news conference this afternoon, setting a leadership race in motion."For now, I will only say that I gave this campaign my very best," Tory told the crowd of several dozen before being whisked out of the room without taking reporters' questions.

Party insiders have signalled for weeks that their patience was wearing thin given that it's been 17 months since Tory lost his previous seat in the Ontario Legislature, leaving the party in limbo as the economy has worsened under Liberal control.

Tory could not overcome local grumbling that he was a "parachute" candidate from Toronto among the farmers and other residents in the sprawling rural and cottage country riding which the party believed was a safe seat."

They knew from the first moment that I was not from here," Tory said, noting that he felt "treated fairly" by the voters.Tory spent an exhaustive 15-month search for a new seat after he failed to win one in the 2007 general election in a contest against Liberal Education Minister Kathlene Wynne.

MPP Laurie Scott stepped down at the start of this year and cleared the way for Tory to run in her riding of Haliburton-Kawarth Lakes-Brock.Speaking outside his campaign office in downtown Lindsay before the polls closed, Tory acknowledged the past 15 months haven't been easy."It's been a challenging period of time for me personally, and it's been challenging politically," said Tory who took the party's top job in 2004.

The former Rogers executive easily won the riding of Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey in a 2005 byelection, but chose to run against Wynne in a Toronto riding two years later .

Barrett, who had been door knocking for Tory, said he had an inkling things were not going his leader's way when people began expressing resentment that Tory was from Toronto and was not a local person like Scott."The resentment I heard was about Toronto," Barrett said. "It was all about Laurie Scott and John Tory and the fact Laurie stepped aside for him.

dnolan@thespec.com905-526-3351
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/524959

Haldimand "Do you Feel Secure?"

The announcement yesterday from US Steel was a surprise for many out there. But for some like a very close friend of ours that has worked at Stelco for 33 years knew that something was in the wind. It all started back in the fall when his department closed down. He had been an overhead crane operator for years and when his department closed down he went to stores. After a very short time in stores he went to the coke ovens and knew that his days were numbered. Luckily for our friend he has enough time in at Stelco to retire. Now this is not exactly what they had planned, but it is better financially for him to retire then to collect EI.

Stelco was bought out by an American company back a year or so ago. This purchase by US Steel stopped the closure of Stelco at that time. From an article that I will post below, there seems to have been some kind of legislation or rules as to a foreign company buying out a Canadian company. This information is confidential but it makes you wonder what the hell is really going on.

With the economic times of today no one seems to feel secure in their jobs, and when news like this hits the press it scares people even more. What happens when people are afraid of losing their jobs? They stop spending money. What makes the economy healthy? People spending their money.

The Federal and Provincial governments both have a stimulus package coming out that is going to drive us into huge deficits. When this money starts flowing is it going to help?

Canada's banks are now rated number one in the world. We are being told that the recession started outside of Canada and has pulled us in. I understand that part but what I don't understand is how the governments are dealing with the problem. The larger companies that are asking for financial support on the most part are not Canadian owned companies. They are foreign companies with Canadian connections. So did the government not see this one coming? When the larger companies shut down or downsize there is a domino effect that hits the "Canadian" Manufacturing companies.

I am not an economist nor an expert on business finances, but what I am pretty sure of is that when people stop spending money the economy feels the crunch. So my suggestion is that all money from upper levels of government should go to only two things; Infrastructure, and money in our pockets! No money to big companies! Money to big companies is not going to make you and I go out and buy a home or a car or any big ticket item. Will these companies that the government helps send the savings down to the consumer? In my opinion, No!

One idea that I had was for those out there that have spent years investing in RRSP's be given the option of cashing in $25,000.00 without penalty and without having to pay the taxes! Think of what that would do for the economy. How many people do you know would take advantage of that stimulus? I know I would.

In Haldimand-Norfolk, it's hoped pain is temporary
March 04, 2009
Lisa Grace Marr
The Hamilton Spectator
HALDIMAND-NORFOLK (Mar 4, 2009)

Andrew Schneider, owner of the iconic Erie Beach Hotel in Port Dover, is crossing his fingers hoping that when U.S. Steel says temporary layoffs, it means it.

"What does temporary mean? Two weeks? Two months or years? It's (a lot) of families and good jobs, the kind with benefits and all the things you need to support a family these days."
Schneider, past president of the Port Dover Board of Trade, was just digesting the news of layoffs of 1,500 jobs at U.S. Steel's Hamilton and Lake Erie operations announced late yesterday.

The move will affect 786 jobs in a rural, sparsely populated region with few employers the size of U.S. Steel. "It's a big hit right now."

U.S. Steel is listed as the biggest private sector employer on Haldimand County's website.
Haldimand-Norfolk MP Diane Finley, who is also minister of human resources and skills development, said she was "very disappointed" to hear of the layoffs.

Finley said Service Canada officials have already met with U.S. Steel to discuss what programs and benefits are possible for affected workers.

"Where there are mass layoffs, (Service Canada) always offers to go in and tell them what are the options, especially in light of some of the new options," she said.

Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer said she was shocked to learn of the layoffs yesterday afternoon when a U.S. Steel executive informed her of the move.

"He sounded very positive and said things will get back to normal once the economy and the European market bounce back," she said.

U.S. Steel has said it intends to temporarily close down its Lake Erie plant but keep its coke ovens running.

Norfolk County Mayor Dennis Travale said the news would be terrible for the area, because of its wide-ranging impact.

Travale said he, Finley and Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett were to give a talk at the Simcoe Chamber of Commerce on Friday on the state of the economy.

"I was going to try and be upbeat. I guess I'll have to rewrite my speech," Travale said.

Trainer said the layoffs will be particularly difficult to bear in Caledonia, which is experiencing a lag in development owing to uncertainty brought on by native land claims and protests. "It will have a real trickle-down effect for county businesses, everything from mom and pop to large grocery stores."

Robert Cook, president of the Jarvis Board of Trade and owner of a garden store on Highway 6, said the former Stelco "has always been a good member of the community."

"If it's temporary and it puts the company into a better position, that's fine.

"If they need time to take a breather (from the economy), we would hope that helps with long-term stability."

lmarr@thespec.com
905-526-3992
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/523628

Stelco Shutdown
Local - Stelco shut down, production to U.S.
Stelco shut down, production to U.S.
John Rennison

U.S, Steel announced Tuesday that it is shutting down operations in Hamilton and Lake Erie and transferring production south of the border.

John RennisonU.S, Steel announced Tuesday that it is shutting down operations in Hamilton and Lake Erie and transferring production south of the border.

United States Steel Corp., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the U.S., Canada and central Europe and an annual raw steelmaking capability of 31.7 million net tons. The company manufactures a wide range of steel sheet and tubular products for the automotive, appliance, container, industrial machinery, construction and oil and gas industries.

Lake Erie Works Employs: 1,100
Location: Nanticoke, north shore of Lake Erie
Founded: 1980
Operations: Integrated mill produces high-quality hot rolled sheet steel and slabs.

Hamilton Works
Employs: 1,700
Location: Burlington Street, Hamilton
Founded: The Steel Company of Canada is formed in 1910 by the amalgamation of five companies. It officially becomes Stelco in 1980. The company goes into bankruptcy protection in 2004 and emerges in 2006. It was bought by U.S. Steel in 2007.
Operations: Primary iron and steelmaking, plus finishing operations, including two pickle lines, a tandem cold mill, three coating lines, cold sheet finishing, a billet mill and a bar mill.
1,500 lose jobs in U.S. Steel cost cutting

Another 700 were already laid off
March 04, 2009 Naomi Powell
The Hamilton Spectator(Mar 4, 2009)

U.S. Steel is shutting down all operations at the former Stelco, putting 1,500 employees in Hamilton and Nanticoke out of work indefinitely.

In a city that has always looked to steel as its backbone, it is the most devastating indicator yet of a deepening economic crisis that has already battered Hamilton's struggling manufacturing sector.

The latest cuts come on top of 684 layoffs that have already been delivered at U.S. Steel Canada, bringing the total number of job losses to 2,190. No salaried staff were affected.

"This is going to devastate Hamilton," said Rolf Gerstenberger, president of the United Steelworkers union in Hamilton. "You lay off hundreds of thousands of steelworkers in Hamilton and North America and this crisis will just get worse."

Hamilton Steel and Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke will be mothballed over the next few weeks as U.S. Steel concentrates production at plants in Alabama, Pittsburgh and Indiana. Only the coke ovens at Lake Erie Works will continue to run.

The Canadian plants -- bought by U.S. Steel for $1.9 billion less than 16 months ago -- will not resume production until market conditions improve.

In Ottawa, officials are "watching the situation closely" to ensure it complies with the Investment Canada Act, said Pema Lhalungpa, an aide to Industry Minister Tony Clement. To get approval from Ottawa, a foreign company looking to buy a Canadian company must agree to "undertakings," which specify the net benefit the firm will provide to Canada in employment, investment or other contributions.

"Should an undertaking be compromised, we look at all options available to the government under the act," Lhalungpa said. She added that confidentiality rules prevent her from discussing U.S. Steel.

In Hamilton, Gerstenberger said he was angered that U.S. Steel had taken such a damaging step so soon after buying the former Stelco.

"Not that long ago, they were telling me how lucky we were to have U.S. Steel buy us," he said.

"Now a year and four months later we're shut down completely. We were the last Canadian steel company and now all the decisions are being made outside the country as far as what's good for Hamilton and what's good for Canada."

The steel industry is battling the worst downturn in demand in decades. Orders have dried up from manufacturers of cars, appliances and machinery, and steel prices have collapsed, prompting steelmakers to slash production and staff.

U.S. Steel has already shut down operations at its steelmaking and mining operations in Texas, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. U.S. Steel spokesperson Chuck Rice said there was "no way of knowing" when the steel market might pick up.

"I don't think there's anything parallel to this economic environment," he said last night. "Our primary customers in the auto industry and the appliance industry, well you can see what struggles they're having."

He said the move would not lead to a permanent shutdown of the older, less efficient Hamilton Steel operation.

"It's an integral part of the operation," he said. The shutdowns are expected to take a heavy toll on Hamilton's economy, hitting companies far beyond the plant gates, including local firms that transport steel and perform maintenance on machinery.

"For the local people this will be quite a blow," said Bill Ferguson, leader of the United Steelworkers union in Lake Erie. "This plant, Lake Erie, has never shut down in its history."

Workers and community leaders were stunned by the news yesterday, which include 786 layoffs at Lake Erie Works and 720 further cuts at Hamilton Steel.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he got a call from a U.S. Steel Canada representative yesterday afternoon to warn him about the impending job losses.

"I was stunned," he said, noting he has family who works at the company, a connection he suspects many Hamiltonians also have. "It's hitting pretty close to home."

Eisenberger said he's urging the federal government to deal with its employment insurance issues quickly. He added that the temporary shut down "screams out" for the need for immediate infrastructure spending to help the troubled economy.

"The good news is this is not a shutdown, this is an idling," he said. "This is not the end of the steel industry in Hamilton."

New Democrat Paul Miller (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) worked for 32 years at Stelco before entering politics.

"Stelco provided jobs that helped families pay off their mortgages and put their kids through school," he said. "I shudder at the economic toll this will take."

Premier Dalton McGuinty declined to comment. Ontario is in dire economic shape, due largely to the unravelling of the manufacturing sector that has seen steel, auto and other industries demolished. The province is due to post a record breaking deficit in the range of $18 billion later this month.

"This is terrible news for Hamilton and the Nanticoke community," said Ontario Economic Development Minister Michael Bryant. "It is our hope that they will be back up ... and we want to explore every opportunity to see how we can make a contribution to get there."
ArcelorMittal Dofasco has yet to lay off any permanent employees, though it has cut the equivalent of 500 full-time workers through reductions in overtime and contract workers.

npowell@thespec.com
905-526-4620
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/523647

Haldimand "Ontario's Green Energy Act"

Ontario’s Energy and Infrastructure Minister, George Smitherman, publicly released his proposed Green Energy Act today.

The proposed Green Energy Act is a very positive step forward on Ontario’s road to a renewable electricity future. But the Government needs to do much more to promote energy conservation and efficiency.

In addition, the proposed Green Energy Act needs to be amended to make it illegal for nuclear power companies to pass their capital cost overruns on to Ontario’s long-suffering electricity consumers and taxpayers.

In this bulletin we will highlight some of the key features of the Green Energy Act and outline the additional actions that are needed to green Ontario’s economy and protect Ontario’s electricity consumers and taxpayers.

Key Features of the Green Energy Act

The Act will create a feed-in-tariff or fixed price for all renewable power projects in Ontario.
The Act will streamline the approvals process for renewable energy projects.
The Act will create mandatory electricity conservation targets for Ontario’s municipal electric utilities (e.g., Newmarket Hydro, Toronto Hydro).

Additional actions that are needed to green Ontario’s economy and protect Ontario’s electricity consumers and taxpayers.

Minister Smitherman must direct the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to dramatically increase its funding for our municipal electric utilities’ energy conservation and efficiency programmes. To date for every dollar that the OPA has spent on energy conservation, it has contracted for $60 of new electricity generation capacity.

Ontario must stop wasting natural gas. Virtually every residential, commercial, institutional and industrial natural gas consumer in Ontario uses natural gas to provide only one service, namely heating. It is much more efficient to use these same molecules of natural gas to simultaneously produce heat and power. Combined heat and power (CHP) plants can have energy efficiencies of 80 to 90% versus the 33% energy efficiency of a nuclear reactor.

By reducing the demand for grid-supplied electricity, CHP plants can make it easier for Ontario to move to a future where all of our grid-supplied electricity comes from renewable sources. Minister Smitherman should direct the OPA to immediately establish a feed-in-tariff for all CHP projects in Ontario. That is, a feed-in-tariff which will pay homeowners, institutions and businesses to self-generate some or all of their electricity requirements.

To date the OPA has signed over 450 contracts for renewable energy with individuals, co-ops, First Nations communities and private sector developers. None of these contracts allow the renewable energy suppliers to pass their capital cost overruns on to Ontario’s electricity consumers or taxpayers.

On the other hand, Minister Smitherman is planning to give the nuclear industry a blank cheque to build two new nuclear reactors at the Darlington Nuclear Station despite the fact that every nuclear project in Ontario’s history has gone over budget. The Green Energy Act should make it illegal for nuclear power companies to pass their cost overruns on to Ontario’s long-suffering electricity consumers and taxpayers.

Please pass this message on to your friends.
Thank you.
Jack Gibbons,
Chair Ontario Clean Air Alliance
402-625 Church St,
Toronto
M4Y 2G1

Phone: 416-926-1907 ext. 240
Fax: 416-926-1601
Email: jack@cleanairalliance.org
Website: www.cleanairalliance.org
Website: www.OntariosGreenFuture.ca

Haldimand "Toby Barrett's Private Members Bill, Truth about Caledonia Act, 2009"

Toby here - Please find attached a news release titled: “Time to determine the truth about Caledonia”, in which I outline my plans to introduce legislation later this month calling for an inquiry into Haldimand, Brant, Brantford, Six Nations area land disputes.

This call for an inquiry is triggered by and builds on Ken Hewitt’s petition. As I prepare to introduce and debate this call for an inquiry, I ask you the reader for several examples that come to mind suggesting inappropriate interventions or undue influence on our area’s court system, land ownership system, or system of law enforcement.

For example, On March 2nd, 2006, I walked behind the barricades of Hydro One spools at DCE to talk with the handful of occupiers – I watched carpenters leaving, with their tools, but nobody was asking the occupiers to leave. My question – why were police not doing anything? I recall eyewitness reports of a van being thrown from the Haldimand County 6th Line bridge onto provincial Highway 6 – media photos were published of the perpetrators but as yet, to my knowledge, there have been no arrests. Again, why is that?

Toby will be introducing a private Members Bill on Wednesday February 18th, 2009 and needs our support. I would suggest that if you support this to email Toby a short note before Wednesday at; toby.barrett@pc.ola.org

At the same time Gary Mchale from CANACE has announced the following;

Rally at Queens Park: Say NO to Barrett's Political Inquiry. Please read file below for reasons why we are standing against Tobys Inquiry - Rally this Wed at 11 am - if you cannot come then please email us a letter denouncing this Inquiry at;
http://www.caledoniawakeupcall.com/documents/TobyInquiry.pdf

Hello, Toby here,

Please find attached, and below, the final draft of proposed legislation, Truth About Caledonia Act, 2009.

This Private Members Bill calls for an inquiry to

To inquire into and report on allegations of political influence in the court’s administration of justice and the police enforcement of the law with respect to activities in Six Nations, Haldimand County, Brant County and the City of Brantford, and nearby areas;

To determine the truth with respect to the ownership of land within the boundaries of the former Haldimand Tract, and nearby areas;

To make recommendations directed to the prevention of attempts of intimidation and related behaviour in similar circumstances - including recommendations with respect to: i) the improvement of mechanisms to resolve land disputes, (ii) the enhancement of respect for the courts and the rule of law, and (iii) the upholding of land ownership rights in the Province of Ontario; and to grant the commission powers under the Public Inquiries Act.

I plan to introduce the legislation on Wednesday February 18, 2009 – with debate scheduled for March 12th.

Truth About Caledonia Act, 2009
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill requires the Premier to recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that a commission be appointed to inquire into land disputes and other related activities in the former Haldimand Tract and nearby areas.

It is the role of the Commission to inquire into and report on the administration of justice, law enforcement and the ownership of land. It is also the role of the commission to make recommendations directed to the prevention of attempts of intimidation and related behaviour in similar circumstances. The commission is given powers under the Public Inquiries Act. Once the inquiry begins, the commission must make an interim report in six months, and a final report in 12 months.

An Act to provide for a public inquiry to determine the truth about the administration of justice, law enforcement and the ownership of land within the former Haldimand Tract and nearby areas.

Preamble

The occupation of Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia, which began in February 2006, has resulted in a series of standoffs, and has led to additional land disputes in the rest of the former Haldimand Tract and nearby areas. These events have resulted in violence, injury, fear and intimidation, shutting down development and draining the area economy.

Questions have been raised about why the disorder and associated impacts have been allowed to continue. Allegations have been raised with respect to political influence in the courts’ administration of justice and in the enforcement of the law by the police.

Area residents want to determine the truth about ownership of the various lands in dispute.
Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Appointment of commission
1. Within 60 days after this Act comes into force, the Premier of Ontario shall recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that a commission be appointed under section 2 of the Public Inquiries Act,

(a) to inquire into and report on allegations of political influence in the administration of justice by the courts and in the enforcement of the law by the police with respect to,

(i) land disputes and other related activities in Haldimand County, Brant County and the City of Brantford, and nearby areas, and

(ii) activities on the Six Nations reserve in the former Haldimand Tract;

(b) to determine the facts with respect to the ownership of land in the areas mentioned in subclause (a) (i); and

(c) to make recommendations directed to the prevention of attempts of intimidation and related behaviour in circumstances similar to those mentioned in subclause (a) (i), including recommendations with respect to,

(i) the improvement of mechanisms to resolve land disputes,

(ii) the enhancement of respect for the courts and the rule of law, and

(iii) the upholding of land ownership rights in the Province of Ontario.

Commission’s term of office
(2) The commission shall hold office until three months after the commission’s final report is submitted to the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Removal for cause
(3) The commission is removable at any time for cause by the Lieutenant Governor on Council on the address of the Assembly.

Powers of commission
2. Part III of the Public Inquiries Act applies to the commission and to the inquiry.

Timing of inquiry
3. The commission shall begin the inquiry within 60 days after being appointed.

Reports
4. (1) The commission shall submit an interim report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council within six months after the inquiry begins.

Final report
(2) The commission shall submit a final report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council within 12 months after the inquiry begins.

Report to be made public
(3) The commission shall make the final report public within 10 days after submitting it to the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Time limits may be extended
5. The Lieutenant Governor in Council may extend the time limits for submitting the interim and final reports, and may extend the term of office of the commission.

Commencement
6. This Act comes into force on Royal Assent.

Short title
7. The short title of this Act is the Truth About Caledonia Act, 2009