FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 3, 2015
CAYUGA – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has again questioned the government when will the Cayuga bridge be done.
When he learned MTO officials estimated there were nine months of work remaining on the Cayuga bridge, Barrett again tackled the issue, asking both the Minister of Transportation and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services for a timeline of action.
Although Ministry of Transportation officials met with Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council twice, a third meeting has yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, the Haldimand Agricultural Advisory Committee raised safety concerns with large farm machinery in regards to sightlines and the narrow bridge.
Early this year, Barrett submitted an Order Paper Question to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, questioning how the minister plans on dealing with the “ . . . ongoing Native protest at the Cayuga bridge to allow completion of this vital piece of infrastructure.”
This was followed up by formal questions in the Legislature, asking when construction would be allowed to resume. Both times in his answer, Minister Naqvi referred to the OPP.
However, Barrett subsequently learned that in the case of the Cayuga bridge, the OPP have not been called and don’t have an ongoing investigation.
“The minister appears to be using the OPP as a shield,” Barrett said. “The minister needs to take responsibility, put politics aside and ensure that construction crews can finish the bridge.”
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For more information,
contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org