Spectator publishes McHale’s ‘blunt questions’ for Six Nations

The Hamilton Spectator has published a letter from Gary McHale to the people of Six Nation asking some probing questions about their role in allowing native extremists to use Caledonia residents as ‘pawns.’

After working with Gary for more than 18 months I must say it is one of the best things he has ever written.

Urgent CANACE News Advisory: Violence is easy, Peace requires Effort

1. Urgent CANACE News Advisory: Violence is easy, Peace requires effort
http://ucare.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/canace-news-advisory-violence-is-easy-peace-requires-effort/

Please…read and download the document in the CANACE post above and forward it to everyone on your email list.

CANACE founders hit back at Fantino/Bryant defamation

UPDATED 1054 EST April 28/08

On April 23, 2008, just one day after personally serving Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant with notices under the Libel and Slander Act for his public comments about me, my complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and CANACE co-founder Gary McHale, OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino appeared on the John Oakley Show on AM640 Toronto Radio and earned the right to a similar notice by falsely accusing us of being ‘involved’ in violence and having a violent agenda.

Bryant is served, CANACE helps Mayor Trainer expose a key OPP fabrication 

I served Bryant right before the start of his meeting with Haldimand Council on April 22/08 while he was going around the room shaking hands.

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Caledonia, Canada lose one of the ‘good guys’ – Doug Aldridge

UPDATED 2118 April 18/08

The people of Canada, especially those in Caledonia, lost an outspoken voice of reason and common sense when veteran broadcaster and web radio journalist Doug Aldridge was killed in a car crash on Highway 7 at the village of Maberly in Lanark County on April 15, 2008.

The Recorder & Times, April 17/08: Motorist killed in crash was former area resident and Reform candidate [PDF]

Those of us who have worked so long and hard to expose the evils of race-based policing have lost a valuable ally, a passionate journalist who covered the stories of Caledonia and Ipperwash right from the beginning with a depth and empathy that no journalist has yet matched. Doug was the first to interview us about our ‘Ipperwash Papers’ project; first to reveal the story of Sixth Line’s ’Dancer’ and how she must take medication and go to counselling because the OPP refuse to police her street in Caledonia.

Kenora: Beware Fantino bearing gifts

The City of Kenora is seriously considering whether or not to replace the Kenora Police Service with the OPP (stop laughing, it’s not funny. They’re really thinking of doing it!). Fantino was in Kenora recently to plug the OPP’s bid, but, according to a news story, he didn’t have time for the little people:

“It’s all about trying to make sure that people are comfortable with the decision made and they have all of their concerns aired,” Fantino said. “And so we’re out to listen to those issues and clarify some misinformation. And it’s always good to dialogue with people at a grassroots level.”

“He [Fantino] began his day with lunch with the Kenora Rotary Club, followed with a meeting with First Nations elders and band members before addressing a public council meeting. While Fantino addressed two questions from Coun. Rory McMillan, community members were denied the chance to put questions to Fantino, who had to meet a plane back to southern Ontario.”

Miner and News, April 08/08: OPP Commissioner addresses policing issue

Gee, does any of this sound familiar? Fantino says it’s important to talk to ‘people at a ’grassroots level?!?’ Who’s he kidding? Hasn’t happened in Caledonia so I hope the people in Kenora don’t expect it to happen there. As Dr. Phil says, “The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour,” so if landclaim lawlessness erupts in their area, the people of Kenora better get used to being ignored and insulted by Fantino and the OPP while their rights are being violated. And, they shouldn’t expect any help from McGuinty’s government, either.

Merlyn Kinrade letter to National Post re Michael Bryant’s attack on Human Rights

Caledonia resident Merlyn Kinrade cc’d me on a letter he sent to the National Post regarding Michael Bryant’s derogatory comments about Gary McHale, me and my complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission that has resulted in OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino being asked to attend a mediation session with me.

Here’s a reprint of what Bryant said:

“Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant said the human rights complaint doesn’t help resolve a complex situation dating back hundreds of years. Most people don’t have much sympathy for Vandermaas or McHale after their tense rallies in the divided town, he said.

“Their activity, generally-speaking, is extremely harmful and, as far as I can tell, unwelcome by everybody,” Bryant said. “I know a lot of people in Caledonia feel that they’re individuals who are just trying to get attention for themselves and are, in fact, stirring it up.””

Toronto Star/Canadian Press, April 07/08: Fantino asked to attend rights mediation [PDF reprint included in this doc]

VoC request to Toronto Star re Bryant’s anti-human rights comments

I just sent a message to the Toronto Star requesting that they do a follow-up story on Bryant’s attack on my Human Rights complaint and/or allow me to write a detailed rebuttal op-ed piece:

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sent via submission form accessed through online story at: http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/411097

April 14/08

Re: Michael Bryant’s comments about me in ‘Fantino asked to attend mediation,’ April 07/08

Dear Toronto Star:

I am writing to request that you write a follow-up story regarding my efforts to obtain an apology from Minister Bryant for his derogatory remarks about me and my complaint, and/or publish my comprehensive op-ed rebuttal.

VoC requests help from Opposition MPPs re Bryant’s anti-Human Rights comments

On Thursday, April 10/08 I forwarded copies of my letters to Michael Bryant and my MPP Deborah Matthews (Liberal) to 4 Opposition MPP’s and asked for their assistance in holding Bryant accountable for his comments about my Human Rights complaint.

National Post rewards VoC, CWUC readers, CANACE members

Dear VoC reader,

We are pleased to announce that the National Post has made a very special offer of up to 67% off their regular subscription price to CaledoniaWakeUpCall and VoiceofCanada readers.

Caledonia resident takes on Aboriginal Affairs Minister over anti-Human Rights comments

Caledonia resident Donna Reid sent me a copy of a letter she sent to the National Post’s Jonathan Kay today in which she takes on Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant for his shocking comments published in the Toronto Star April 07/08 that disparaged me, Gary McHale and my complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission against OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino.

Victory in Caledonia – Chris Syrie & John Findlay lead the way

This post is based on a letter from Caledonia resident, Chris Syrie, regarding his efforts to have the courts affirm that he has clear title to a vacant lot he owns in town that is adjacent to the occupied Douglas Creek Estates.

This story – unlike so many others from Caledonia – has a very happy ending.

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Thursday March 27th, 2008 Chris Syrie in Cayuga Court 9AM

Hi Everyone, I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone of you that have taken the time out of your lives to encourage and support my family in our endeavours.

I thought I might offer some insight and clarity to my situation as of late. We have asked for what is called a declaration from the province. This is a court process that is a non-disputed certificate. Simply put, we have asked the government to take a position in regards to the title of my property. They have the right to dispute the fact that we are putting them through the courts, but we won’t dispute their position. If they declare the property title to belong to me free and clear of any encumbrances, land disputes, easements etc. and notice is served to Six Nations, Haldimand County, Haudenosaunee Council, and the Federal government, the ‘Colour of Right’ is removed from the equation.

Bryant’s attack on VoC’s Human Rights complaint

UPDATE 1922 EST April 14/08: New category added – ‘Human Rights complaints’

UPDATE 1956 EST April 11/08: Caledonia resident takes on Aboriginal Affairs Minister over anti-Human Rights comments
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“Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant said the human rights complaint doesn’t help resolve a complex situation dating back hundreds of years. Most people don’t have much sympathy for Vandermaas or McHale after their tense rallies in the divided town, he said.

“Their activity, generally-speaking, is extremely harmful and, as far as I can tell, unwelcome by everybody,” Bryant said. “I know a lot of people in Caledonia feel that they’re individuals who are just trying to get attention for themselves and are, in fact, stirring it up.””

Toronto Star/Canadian Press, April 07/08: Fantino asked to attend rights mediation [PDF reprint included in this doc]

Background to our complaints to the Ontario Human Rights Commission

The struggle against race-based policing has been a long, exhausting, frustrating, exhilarating (sometimes!) process. After the arrest of Gary McHale and me on Dec 16/06 during a protest to support Caledonia resident Bo Chausse - arrested for trying to raise a Canadian flag on Dec 02/06 – we did everything possible to expose these outrageous violations of basic Charter rights by the OPP.