Ont. government finalizes deal to buy disputed Caledonia property

Hamilton Spectator
(Jul 5, 2006)

[SISIS note: The following mainstream news article is provided for reference only, as an example of how mainstream media treats indigenous resistance to genocide. Mainstream media often presents biased and distorted information, lacking pertinent facts and/or context. Inclusion of this article on our site should not be considered an endorsement by SISIS.]

TORONTO -- The Ontario government has finalized a deal to buy the land at the centre of a dispute with aboriginal protesters in Caledonia.

The announcement of the completed deal is expected during a court hearing today in nearby Cayuga.

Premier Dalton McGuinty had disclosed on June 22 that Ontario taxpayers would pay $12.3 million to buy a controversial housing project, occupied by aboriginal protesters since late February.

McGuinty told the legislature the province agreed to pay the money to Henco Industries, the developer behind the Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia, southwest of Hamilton.

David Ramsay, the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, added that the province also agreed to compensate Henco for potential lost profits during the occupation.

The dispute has been marked by a number of violent clashes between local residents and First Nations protesters since police tried to evict the occupiers in April.