National Affairs
So far, McGuinty's failing the test
Claire Hoy

In the past week or so, two events, seemingly unconnected, have again underscored the abysmal failure of

the Ontario Liberal government and its' various legal representatives in dealing with what appears to be a classic example of state-approved anarchy.

We're speaking, of course, of the ongoing since February occupation of private lands by Six Nations protesters in Caledonia. First, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Gwen Boniface, the first woman ever to head the OPP, confirmed she'd be leaving her job in October to join a newly established Inspectorate providing oversight of Ireland's National Police Force.

Second, Ontario C o n s e r v a t i v e Leader John Tory ventured on down to Caledonia, no doubt hoping to remind Ontarians that despite the government's fondest hope that its' out-ofsight out-of-mindappeasement atany cost strategy may be working.

So what's the connection?

Well, as former Tory provincial solicitor-general Bob Runciman recently told the CBC, the timing of Boniface's departure not to mention the fact it's hardly a step up is somewhat suspect.

"It may be in some way shape or form linked to what's happened with the Caledonia occupation situation for the past months, and the non-confidence motions in her leadership which several elements of the Ontario Provincial Police Association have been carrying out," he said.

You bet it is, even though Premier Dalton McGuinty took the "opportunity to express my gratitude for her service and wish her well as she begins the next phase of her career."

In fact, by doing nothing to curb the ongoing lawlessness by the native protesters, Boniface has left rank-andfile police officers hanging.

Facing criticism from local residents, who have complained (with considerable cause) that the OPP haven't protected them, Boniface replied that, "I think the right decisions have been made and they've been carried out by competent men and women in the OPP."

If by the "right decisions" she means standing back and allowing the natives to flaunt the law, while not allowing her officers to do what they're paid to do, then, one supposes, she's right. But only in her mind and, perhaps, the minds of McGuinty and his erstwhile braintrust.

The one time they did attempt to remove the protesters and that, after a judge had ordered them to leave their barricades or be forcefully removed the natives and most of the mainstream media came down hard on the police and Boniface wasn't exactly quick to stand up for her troops.

But then, neither was McGuinty, the man who, some of you may recall, made great political capital against former Tory premier Mike Harris for actually attempting to end an occupation by natives at Ipperwash.

Sadly, that confrontation ended in the death of one man, but that only served to spur the Liberals on in blaming Harris personally for the entire mess.

Now it's McGuinty's test and, so far, he's flunked.

You'll recall early on that McGuinty sent former Liberal premier David Peterson who in office had rarely met a protester who he could attempt to appease to work out a deal between the natives, the developers of the private land involved (since purchased, at taxpayer's expense) and the community.

How well did Peterson do? Well, months have passed and two more court orders have been issued and the standoff continues. Which brings us to Tory.

He argues that Ontario should break off its' talks with the occupiers until the rule of law is restored in Caledonia.

"We shouldn't be carrying on negotiations until court orders are being followed, until the law is respected by all people at all times," said Tory.

"I don't think that's inflammatory. I think that's good sense."

You bet it is, which is why the Liberals aren't likely to take his advice.

Tory also responded directly to the spurious claims by some Six Nations members that they do not recognize Canadian law or its court orders. "The Criminal Code of Canada applies to everybody who lives in Canada," he said, "and we can't have it any other way."

A Toronto Star story on Tory's visit also quoted Darrell Doxtdator, adviser to Six National Chief David General, who said Tory's comments can disrupt the ongoing negotiations.

"This constant intrusion is just agitating the situation for no value whatsoever," said Doxtdator.

But what about the "constant intrusion" of native barricades and the threatening nature of their protest against the law-abiding citizens of Caledonia? Who speaks for them? Certainly not McGuinty.

Instead, his plan is to use your money to buy off the protesters, a morally bankrupt scheme that is absolutely guaranteed to spark more Caledonia copycat protests by native groups knowing that when it comes to holding the government to ransom, McGuinty is an easy mark.