McGuinty government denies need for public inquiry Minister admits, ‘current climate…presents significant challenges’

For Immediate Release:
February 12, 2010

Caledonia – No public inquiry on Caledonia…..

That’s the message of a four paragraph response to petitions signed by over five thousand area residents calling for government to launch a, “public inquiry into the actions and decisions made by the Commissioner of the OPP Julian Fantino and impose his immediate suspension without pay and upon confirmations of the facts, his immediate resignation.”

In his response, Community Safety Minister Bartolucci indicates, “I do not believe Commissioner Fantino has acted inappropriately with his handling of the land dispute in Caledonia. Further, I do not believe that a public inquiry is necessary.”

“Quite clearly, this government is keen on sweeping this whole matter under the rug,” stated Barrett. “this latest rejection of transparency, follows in the footsteps of government’s refusal to bring in an outside prosecutor in the Fantino case – and it was just a few months ago that McGuinty’s pre-debate marching orders, ensured the death-knell for my private members bill call for a Caledonia inquiry.”

Barrett went on to lament the fact that elected representatives continue to feel they can ignore the written requests of over five thousand concerned citizens – this time with a quick half-page note underlining ignorance of the impacts from now four years of a divisive land dispute.

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629