Letters - May 8, 2008

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Letters - May 8, 2008 Letters: May 8

A Door Closes, George Hiles

Uranium Struggle Continues, Helen Forsey

Wizard of Oz, Norm Landry

Re: Composting, Georgia Ferrell

A Door Closes

Over eight years has slipped by since the weekly Property Crime Summary came to life in South Frontenac Township. It has been a rewarding partnership between the community and Frontenac OPP.

Tom Varga, the founding Community Liaison Officer, worked tirelessly with the community to get the concept up and running. Meetings were held with interested community associations, watch groups were formed and the weekly Property Crime Summary began to roll off the press.

In early 2002, Tom moved to Western Canada to enable him to be closer to family members.

With Tom’s departure, I was approached and asked if I might be interested in picking up where Tom left. It was a great opportunity to become involved in policing once more. The Community Liaison Officer’s function in South Frontenac Township was unique and sounded extremely interesting.

Out of retirement I came and interesting it has been! Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some of the finest people in the township. More community, cottage and neighbourhood watch groups were formed and countless meetings were attended on a wide variety of community policing topics.

What a team evolved. With a concerted effort from the community who acted as the eyes and ears of your police service, the Frontenac OPP Break and Enter unit came close to driving the break and enter rate into the ground.

With community support I trust the trend can continue. Thanks for your unrelenting support of Frontenac OPP and the Community Liaison Officer. Above all, thanks for having allowed me the privilege to have worked with many of you. You are the greatest!

Stay safe and enjoy life to the fullest,

George Hiles, Community Policing/Watch Program/Block Parent/Seniors Liaison Officer

Uranium Struggle Continues

In the nearly three months since the anti-uranium protesters were forced to leave the roadside encampment at Robertsville, the protest and the issues behind it have largely disappeared from the news. But the issues themselves have not gone away. As everyone awaits further happenings on the ground, in the courts and in the halls of power, we continue to do what we can to ensure a livable outcome for our communities, our environment, and the generations that will follow us.

In that context, I want to invite dialogue on two major concerns. One is the division in the overall community between those who support uranium development and those of us who are fighting against it. The other is the disagreement over the separate paths different groups are taking in the ongoing anti-uranium struggle.

As someone deeply involved in that struggle, there may not be much I can do at the moment about the first of these concerns. But I believe I speak for all the protesters when I say that we, too, are unhappy that the issue has caused such hard feelings with some of our neighbours. None of us are doing any of this for fun, or on a whim, or to upset anyone. On the contrary, we got involved because of what we know about uranium. We’ve done our homework on its short- and long-term health effects, its economic costs and benefits, its impact on communities and the environment. What we’ve learned is so disturbing that we have no choice but to oppose uranium development in any form.

I respect the fact that for some people, our protest remains a problem. But I hope that the commonalities we share as neighbours and citizens will eventually come to outweigh the hard feelings.

On the second matter - the misunderstandings and resentments that have arisen over differing approaches and strategies – there are things we can do right now. The key is to realize – as we all remind each other regularly – that this is about uranium, not about competing interests or philosophies, groups or personalities. Whatever our affiliations or beliefs, uranium threatens us all. In coming together to fight that threat, we’ve set aside some big differences, shed some major baggage, gotten past some old grudges. We’re still doing that, and we can be rightly proud.

However, the huge challenges posed by the court process, with its harsh conditions and sentencing, have made it harder to maintain that unified sense of purpose. At the protest site we all had to work together; now there is less opportunity for communication and sorting things out. It’s no secret that some people have been puzzled and angered by the differing court strategies of the two First Nations. Groups have become more separate, and mistrust has widened the distances. Some people have pulled back in confusion or disappointment, feeling that the fight has been mishandled or even abandoned.

But it hasn’t. In fact, those diverse non-violent strategies are key to our strength! Diversity is vital for an ecosystem, and it’s good for a protest movement as well. We need everyone’s energy and ingenuity to reach our goal. If we were to put all our legal or political eggs in one basket, we’d be far more vulnerable than we are.

Think about it. The leadership of the two Algonquin communities volunteered to face the court on behalf of the rest of us, and they were joined by three settlers. If all those who went to trial were now in jail, would we be farther ahead? If everyone were subject to crippling fines, would our opposition to uranium be more effective? If the Shabot Obaadjiwan leaders had allowed the court to prohibit them from pursuing their upcoming cross-claim lawsuit, would that have advanced Aboriginal rights or helped to stop a mine? On the other hand, if everyone charged had agreed to the restrictive undertakings demanded by the court, would we now have the wide publicity and high-profile support that Ardoch’s Bob Lovelace has gained for the cause?

The fact is, if we all did things the same way it just wouldn’t work. Different people choose different paths to our common goal, and that’s all to the good. We may not agree with another group’s strategy or choices, but who knows what strategy or combination of strategies will lead to victory?

So I say: Thank goodness for our differences and the resiliency they give us. Let’s go on debating, questioning and challenging each other, but let’s do it with the mutual respect and caring that have brought us this far. Let’s work with our diversity and celebrate it. And let’s keep our eyes on the prize.

Helen Forsey

Wizard of Oz

Kudos to the North Frontenac Little Theatre on its recent production of the Wizard of Oz. The principal characters were all superbly cast and gave a polished performance. As well, all of the children involved were a delight and, not to omit anyone, the secondary players did a fine job as well. Thank you to all involved, both on stage and behind the scenes; your many hours of preparatory work resulted in a thoroughly entertaining show!

Norm Landry

Re: Composting

I want to thank my neighbor John Waddingham for his superb letter; I, too, believe that the open pit composting in this area is being railroaded through, despite all the voiced concerns of our neighbours, and the evidence provided by experts on the unsuitability of such an operation in this populated area of our township.

These concerns are not simply fear mongering; rather, they are the legitimate concerns of our neighbours for the health and welfare of not just this little area, but of all Central Frontenac Township. It disturbs me to read and hear, if true, that our mayor, Janet Gutowski, intends to push this to completion, regardless of the wishes of those who elected her into office.

I have read a great deal about this type of composting and unless it is very strictly monitored, it will become a stinking garbage pit. While I am certain the MOE does its very best, we all know how effective government is when it comes to situations like these. Besides which, aren’t we putting the cart before the horse to change the zoning before the operation is approved by the MOE?

But most of all, I do also ask what--other than negatives--will we get in return. In the same edition of the paper, speaking of another issue, Mayor Gutowski is quoted as saying “we do take responsibility for our staff…we are accountable every four years”. If that is so, do you think this will be forgotten in two years? If the concrete plant doesn’t conflict with the existing use, I suppose you might use that same argument for the open pit composting, despite the number of folks who live very close by, never mind the negative implications put forward by extremely qualified persons regarding this operation. As well, how does this fit in with the very important decision of Central Frontenac Township to convincingly “Go Green”? Nitrous oxide is a very potently poisonous off gas of these types of operations, not to mention what will leach down into the soil without an impermeable membrane in the pits which is an absolute requirement by all counties, states or countries which permit this type of composting. Clay or any other type of soil is just not good enough! Water will leach thru any type of soil, perhaps more slowly but nonetheless it will.

I cannot believe that there is even one person on our council that does not see that this zoning change should be voted down. If this type of composting pit is necessary for the use of Central Frontenac, then I suppose we must live with that, but that only!

Again, I challenge Mr. Shea to build his own home on that site and bring his family to live there. If he is so willing, then perhaps I could be convinced to believe what he says.

Georgia Ferrell

May 15/08 - Aboriginal Affairs Visits Shabot Obaadjiwan

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Feature Article - May 15, 2008 Minister of Aboriginal Affairs visits Shabot Obaadjiwan First NationBy Jeff Green

Michael Bryant, Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, was in Sharbot Lake on May 8 to hold talks with the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation. The main subject of the discussions was the uranium exploration at Robertsville, Ontario, a few minutes north of Sharbot Lake on Highway 509.

The minister and two aides met first with the Shabot Obaadjiwaan leadership: Chief Doreen Davis, Luanda Badour and Earl Badour, and then joined the Shabot Obaadjiwaan Justice Circle for further conversations and a meal. Algonquin Elder William Commanda also attended the meeting.

The meeting took place in advance of a June 2 court date, which is slated to see the resumption of proceedings that were initiated late last July by Frontenac Ventures Corporation after an occupation of the Robertsville mine had been established by the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwaan First Nations. Frontenac Ventures is suing the two First Nations for $77 million, and the Shabot Obaadjiwaan have filed a cross claim in the case, which names the governments of Ontario and Canada. It is the contention of the Shabot Odaadjiwan that the exploration permit which Frontenac Ventures received from Ontario is not legal because there was no consultation with First Nations prior to its issuance.

The Shabot Obaadjiwan are seekingconsultationwith the province about the uranium explorationandare pressing for a moratorium on uranium mining until at least the resolution of the Algonquin land claim agreement. “We are not interested in negotiating an impact benefit agreement with the mining company,” said Chief Davis.“Wepressed the minister for a negotiated resolution, in keeping with the recommendations of the Linden Commission into the Ipperwash tragedy. The minister indicated he would bespeaking with the premier and the Ministers of Natural Resources, and Northern Development and Mines about his visit, but he did not commit the province to any particular action."

Davis said the “meeting went well”. It was the first direct contact with the minister ten months into the ongoing dispute over uranium exploration on a 30,000 acre swath of land in North and Central Frontenac townships.

Chief Doreen Davis said after the meeting, "The ministerlistened quietly and respectfully to the opinions of theelder, the council and justice circle. He seemed particularly moved when Elder Commanda unveiled the wampum belt he had brought with him." The wampum belt, for which Elder Commanda isresponsible, depictsthree equal-sized figures holding hands in a row, and a cross. It represents an early agreement between the Algonquin, French and English to work together in partnership. The agreement waswitnessed by a representative of the Vatican, as indicated by the cross.

According to Chief Davis it is Ontario's choice how matters unfold from here."We can negotiate or we can litigate; it is Ontario's call. Shabot Obaadjiwan has agreed to respect the rule of law.But we will also use the law to protect our rights. If there is no positive response from the province before June 2, we willbe proceeding with litigation against the Crown for failure to meet its lawful dutyto engage inhonourable consultation."

The chief also spoke about the reasons why the Shabot Obaadjiwan are so passionate about this issue."We rely on these lands for our food, medicine and peace of mind.Our children's future happiness and well-being is dependent on the health of this land.We know that the health and well-being of the settlers also depends on the health of this land.We wish to ensure these lands are used for sustainable purposes.Uranium mining is the exact opposite.

"Not only is this an issue of Aboriginal rights and a breach of the duty to consult by the Crown, but a significant environmental issue for everyone. Weare fighting to protect our Aboriginal rights so that we canprotect the environment and these environmentally sensitive lands".

This week, Kevin Dove, whose title is Manager, Issues Management and Media Relations for the Ministry of Aborginal Affairs, issued the following statement about the meeting: “We believe that good neighbours talk to each other and that is exactly what the province, public and private sector and Aboriginal communities should do. We are committed to meeting our duty to consult with First Nations where activities may impact on Aboriginal or treaty rights. To that end, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is supporting the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in its efforts to share information and consult with the Algonquins. The meeting the minister had with Chief Davis was another step in that effort.”

Letters - May 15, 2008

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Letters - May 15, 2008 Letters: May 15

Re: South Fronteac Cuts OPP Community Liaison, Ben Lesperance

Uranium, Ken Fishery

Ompah Firefighter's ATV Poker Run, Bud and Kay Griffin

Re: South Frontenac Cuts OPP Community Liaison

I am a grade ten student at Sydenham High School. It is with much concern that I have come to learnthatthe community liaison position for police, is being cancelled. I am writing in response to your article regarding the cancellation of George Hiles at the community liaison position. This position was originally established at the request of the South Frontenac Township to draw the community and police closer together and hence reduce the incidents of crime. George Hiles would examine crime reports, summarize them by district, and consequently make the original four townships aware of crime and suspicious activities. Also included in these reports were tips on preventing identity theft, and watching out for suspicious activities. I know that on one occasion, my parents used this service to report asuspiciousvehiclein our neighbourhood.

South Frontenac has eliminated this program due to budgetary concerns. This is understandable at a time of rising costs, and possible economic recession. However, using expenditure figures of 2006, the cost of $52,000 a year represents only 0.3% of the total expenditures. I would like to point out, that this is indeed a small cost, and indeed pays foritself many times over in the reduction of crime and the resulting improved ties between OPP and the community which can only serve to make our township a less stressful place to live. This service was especially useful to cottage and hunting camp owners who could be informed of suspicious activities and take suitable action in minding their property while they were at home.If $52,000 (which represents only half of the total cost of the position as the benefits package is assumed by the OPP), is considered to be exorbitant, then it is suggested that Mr. Hiles be retained on a part-time basis which could reduce the cost of his employment from 0.3% of total expenditures, to 0.15%. After a beneficial track record of 6 years,I am sure that I am not alone in recommending that council reconsider its decision and continue the police community liaison post.

Ben Lesperance

Uranium

With the unjust incarceration of Bob Lovelace and other aboriginal community leaders over the issues of environmental protection, consultation and land claims, the passage of resolutions calling for a uranium mining moratorium by nineteen municipalities from Haliburton, Ottawa, Kingston and all points in between, and the numerous, well-attended hearings and petitions opposing uranium mining, it is now time for the Government of Ontario to respond sensibly to the express wishes of its citizens for the suspension of uranium mining in the Highlands of Eastern Ontario.

Both British Columbia and Nova Scotia have passed legislation protecting their beautiful provinces from the ravages of uranium mining. It is time for Ontario to follow the lead of the other provinces, and the will of the people.

The future of Highlands’ sustainable businesses is in recreation, tourism, providing a community for retirees, maple syrup production, supporting a rich arts & culture scene, and agriculture, with an increasing emphasis on organic farming. The future is not uranium mining.

An open-pit uranium mine in the Highlands would be like a “turd in a punchbowl”.

More politely put, Janet Gutowski, Mayor of Central Frontenac, sees the prospect of uranium mining in the Highlands as a total “wet blanket” on traditional rural businesses and sustainable development plans.

Ken Fisher

Ompah Firefighters’ ATV Poker Run on April 26

As the only business in the area not recognized for participating in or donating a prize to the ATV Texas Holden Poker Run, it was not from lack of trying on our part. Upon our request, two flyers were delivered to us personally from two different volunteer firefighters, at which point, we made copies and distribute them to our clientele from the Quebec border to Windsor and places in between, including Toronto and Peterborough, with instructions to post these flyers in a public area where they could be easily viewed. In the meantime, we were also asked by the Yamaha dealership in Madoc to forward a flyer to them, which we did, as they had no idea this event was taking place, and were positive the feedback would be very receptive from their area. These volunteer firefighters were well aware that we would gladly, as a business, sponsor or donate prizes to this or any other community events to raise money for our fire department. However, the hand-carved decoy and wall plaque for this event were never picked up. We do wish to thank Terry Hatfield for acknowledging this oversight and personally apologizing to us for omitting us from contributing to the event.

It has always been my belief that businesses pull together to support each other in a small community, but there was nothing on the flyer to indicate what accommodations were available in the area for that weekend, for participantsfrom out of town.

Bud and Kay Griffin, Griffin's Hide-A-Way

Feature Article - July 3, 2008

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Feature Article - July 3, 2008 Citizens’ Inquiry calls for moratoriumBy Jeff Green

In a report entitled “Staking our Claim for a Healthier Future”, a Citizens’ Inquiry into the impacts of the uranium cycle has made six recommendations that, if adopted, would have a major impact on the uranium and nuclear industries in Ontario.

The contents of the report, which was written by former Toronto Mayor John Sewell, were not unexpected since the inquiry itself was established by the Concerned Citizens Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU).

The inquiry came about as the result of silence on the part of the province to a request by Donna Dillman that they establish a similar inquiry. Dillman took no solid food for 68 days in support of her request, which ended at the Ontario Legislature when CCAMU offered to undertake an inquiry in the face of that silence.

CCAMU had been established in July of 2007, in support of the occupation of the Robertsville mine by members of two Algonquin communities, and subsequently began to establish its own political voice in opposition to uranium exploration in Eastern Ontario.

Based on information provided by 230 oral and written submissions, presented at community forums in Sharbot Lake, Kingston, Ottawa, and Peterborough, the 50-page report makes six recommendations.

The first calls for a “moratorium on the exploration and mining of uranium in Ontario until such time as all environmental and health issues related to mining uranium are resolved ….”

The second recommendation calls for a royal commission to review the Ontario Mining Act.

Then report then calls for “independent and professional studies of the health of residents in places where uranium has been processed” in Ontario.

It also recommends that Ontario’s nuclear plans, including a budgeted $40 billion expenditure, be put on hold and that alternatives to the use of uranium for medical purposes be explored.

The final recommendation of the report calls upon the province to engage with the federal government to ensure that Supreme Court decisions regarding First Nations’ rights be incorporated into operating practices relative to mining exploration.

“Staking Our Claim for a Healthier Future” was presented at Queen’s Park on June 24.

There has been no response to the inquiry’s recommendations from the Government of Ontario.

Oct 30/08 - Pray for the Land

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Feature Article - October 30, 2008 Pray for the LandBy Jeff Green

A group of rain-soaked people gathered by the side of the Robertsville road last weekend for a two-day “Pray for the Land” event.

They received an advisory from the OPP a couple of days before the event telling them that a court injunction remains in place and they could face court action for gathering within 200 metres of the gate of the beleaguered Robertsville mine.

Employees of Frontenac Ventures Corporation created a berm on the road allowance in front of the gate for the occasion, and several company trucks arrived at the site on Saturday morning for the first time in weeks to mark the company’s continued presence on the site.

“We had Port-a-Potties delivered to the front of the gate for the weekend, but the company we rented them from received a phone call telling them they faced a lawsuit if they left them there, so they came and got them,” said Mireille Lapointe, acting chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, who organized the event.

Since the event could not take place on the road allowance in front of the mine gate, the people gathered in a hollow across the road.

It rained - no it poured all day on Saturday. Still, a delegation of Quakers showed up to pray, as did a United Church minister and some parishioners, and members of the Christian Peacemakers. The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation held a sunrise ceremony that morning.

Bob Lovelace of the Ardoch Algonquins promoted the event but in the end he was unable to attend because he underwent quadruple bypass surgery two days before the event. He wrote a letter to the participants before his surgery: “I still believe that this coming weekend is the most important expression of our collective concern for our future and the land. This is a non-confrontational event, non-violent and welcoming of all people. Celebrate the great gifts of life and happiness that are ours as a human family who have been given the most beautiful and diverse of worlds to live in. Find in your prayers for the Land a path to follow and courage to walk that path.”

The Pray for the Land event did not lead to any kind of confrontation. Police presence was limited to a couple of drive-bys and when it was all over, everyone, Frontenac Ventures included, went home for the winter.

Although Frontenac Ventures President George White says the company will be back in the spring to continue its exploration for uranium, the current economic climate suggests that money to explore what for years has been considered a marginal property may be hard to come by. The price of uranium on the open market is down to $45 a pound from a high of $140 18 months ago, and future price projections don’t see any sharp rise in the price over the next six months.

The locals have seen this before. The price of uranium goes up, the companies come. They clear brush, they drill holes. The price drops, the companies leave, the land goes back to nature. The coming of winter '09 could mark the end of the fourth or fifth wave of activity in the area in the past 50 years.

But this time is different from the others because there are many loose ends.

There are lawsuits underway over the occupation that effectively shut down the project for four months last year. Where these will go, it is hard to say, but it is worth noting that Frontenac Ventures has had full access to their site for the past year, so if indeed, as some suspect, this project is dying, it will be hard to prove that it was the occupation in the summer of '07 that killed it.

Yes, the company has spent a lot of money on lawyers, perhaps $250,000 or more, but that is a far cry from the $77 million figure they floated when they launched their lawsuit some 15 months ago.

But the issues that have been raised over the past year and a half have not been settled.

As far as the land in question is concerned nothing has really been settled. Questions remain. Should the Algonquins have a veto over development? If so, which Algonquins? Should the private landowners have the right to refuse mining exploration? Should uranium be treated differently than any other mineral, even at the initial stages of exploration?

So many questions to ponder over the long, quiet winter.

Letters - August 21, 2008

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Letters - August 21,2008 Letters: August 21

Water Source Protection Meeting, Sheila King

Signs Stolen on 509, Ian Whillians

Water Source Protection Meeting.

After attending a meeting of the Mississippi-Rideau Source Water Protection Committee (MRSPC) in Plevna on August 7, my preconceived doubts were confirmed. This meeting was held to allow an opportunity for the committee and the public to address the potential impacts of uranium exploration on the highly vulnerable aquifer which makes up the Mississippi Watershed.

After a presentation by the Ministry of Environment about the role of Source Water Protection, it became clear that as a private well owner you are on your own. It is up to you to protect your water source.

At present their mandate only covers municipal water systems. The fact that testing of approximately 100 wellsin this area performed since February of 2008 showed a number of wells testing at the higher end or in excess of the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards for uranium levels did not seem to alarm Dr. Anne Carter, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District health Unit or Dr. Ian Gemmill, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health.It was reiterated that their role is to educate, not act proactively, and members of the public may receive a notice with their tax bill to encourage them to have their well water tested for uranium levels.

Presentations made by Marilyn Crawford, Linda Harvey, John Kittle, Howard Robinson, and Wolf Ehrlichman all urged for a proper environmental assessment to be done BEFORE further planned drilling activity takes place by Frontenac Ventures Corporation. The term "natural occurring uranium" was bandied about, probably about 25 times by the panel made up of MOE, Public Health representatives and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Residents of Northern Frontenac are aware that due to the fact that we are living on the Canadian Shield there is "naturally occurring uranium" in our water and soil. But leave this "natural" stuff as it is.Pam Sangster is the Resident Geologist for Southern Ontario, and her response as to why such activity is allowed to take place in our watershed, and thereby allowing a threat to our aquifers was...get ready for this folks, "Maybe people shouldn't be living here". I recognize that this remark was facetious and unprofessional, but itactually summed up very nicely the bureaucratic shuffle that many of us have witnessed during the past 15 months. Various ministries finger point to other jurisdictions or fail to act until they see "adverse effects".

Sheila King

Signs Stolen on 509

Holy crap Batman! All the construction speed limit signs on 509 were stolen!

My wife phoned and left a message for the new public works manager expressing her distress that her car had been peppered with stones on thenewly tarred and chipped 509. We know that he is a busy man, but he could have called her back!

Instead he instructed a Mr. Scott to speak with her. Mr. Scott advised my wife that the damage to her car was not the fault of the township, as someone had stolen all the construction zone speed signs and that she should call the OPP. It is amazing that all the signs were stolen when there was only one 50 km/hr sign placed just before the curve north of Oso Road.This sign was placed because there was exposed gravel and vehicles were sliding off the roadway.

I would ask Mr. Scott, why would he misinform the public and also make up some ridiculous story that could be checked. We did call the OPP and the Police can't enforce a speed limit of 50 km/hr when the signs clearly indicate 80 km/hr.Also there was no report to the OPP that any construction speed signs had been stolen from the 509.

All that was required was four 50 km/hr signs, one at the south and north limits of the construction zone and the other two at the major curves of the 509. Also covering the existing 80 km/hr speed signs with green garbage bags. Then the OPP could have monitored the traffic speed at the request of the township. This would have greatly reduced damage to the vehicles and helped the stone adhere to the tar instead of flying off the roadway because the speed was left at 80 km/hr.

Ian Whillans

Sept 25/08 - Campaign comes alive in Kaladar

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Feature Article - September 25, 2008 Local campaign comes alive in Kaladar By Jeff Green

Liberal Dave Remington, Conservative Scott Reid, NDP Sandra Willad

At the first all-candidates’ meeting in the riding of Lanark Frontenac Lennox and Addington, Conservative incumbent Scott Reid came under persistent attack from an audience that was dotted with supporters of Liberal candidate Dave Remington.

Only three of five candidates in the riding attended the meeting. Sandra Willard from the NDP joined Remington and Reid, but Chris Walker from the Green Party had vehicle problems and missed the meeting. Walker’s campaign manager, Rolly Montpelier, delivered an opening address in his stead. Ernest Rathwell, from the Marijuana Party, did not attend.

In their opening statements, the candidates stuck very much to the party lines, with Scot Reid stressing his experience in the riding and the establishment of three riding association offices.

Dave Remington stressed his roots in his home town of Napanee, where he has run businesses and served as councillor and mayor, and said he looked forward to meeting with community groups and local organizations to see how the federal government can have a geater impact on people’s lives.

Sandra Willard said she joined the New Democrats seven years ago after being involved in a healthcare union. “This election is about deciding who will look after you and your family first. The Conservatives are protecting corporate interests but who is looking after your interests. Privatization of healthcare is a threat to this country; we need to insure that the system will be kept in public hands,” she said.

Although a variety of topics were discussed, many of the questions were asked directly of Scott Reid.

The first question of the night, which was posed by John McEwen of Verona, concerned uranium production, specifically a promise by Stephen Harper that uranium companies should be more open to foreign investment.

Scott Reid said that in terms of the local uranium issue, he has taken a strong stand against exploration. “The Ontario Mining Act must be changed,” he said. “however, I am not against uranium mining in general and I support the Prime Minister Harper's intention to open up foreign investment in uranium mining companies. It is limited to 49%, so companies would stay in Canadian hands.”

“Not so,” said McEwen, “foreign ownership of airlines is limited to 49%, not uranium companies”.

A Globe and Mail article from September 12 bears out McEwen's assertion. The article says there is currently a 49% cap on foreign investment in uranium mining companies. It reads: “The Tories say they would remove this cap to allow majority ownership, but only for countries that give Canadian companies commensurate rights and benefits — and pass the new national security test they would put in place. "'We will allow [more] foreign ownership of uranium mining and producing provided that such investments meet a national security test and that Canada receives comparable benefits from investor nations,' Mr. Harper said.'

Sandra Willard said the NDP “does not support any kind of investments in uranium or nuclear power”, and Dave Remington said, “Personally I am not a big nuclear supporter”.

There were several questions regarding the recent Listeriosis outbreak. One questioner contended that a change in the federal meat inspection regimen that took place earlier this year was connected to the contamination.

“If it really were the case that the Listeriosis outbreak came about because of a lack of federal inspectors it would be a major issue in this election campaign. The press and Mr. Dion would be on this. but it just isn't the case,” said Scott Reid.

“Jim Flaherty, John Baird and Tony Clement [federal cabinet ministers] were all members of the Ontario Conservative government that fired water inspectors before the Walkerton tragedy, so what can you expect?” said Dave Remington.

“The Walkerton tragedy came about because Stan Cabel was drunk, and didn't do his job,” said Scott Reid.

Arts funding should be dropped – Reid

To a question from Marg Axford of the Cloyne & District Historical Scoiety about whether a plan by the Conservatives to fund a French language foreign radio service is tied to a decrease in funding for domestic broadcasters, Scott Reid made a general comment about government funding for the arts.

“I don't think government should be giving funding to the arts. The arts are lovely, but arts funding is not a life or death issue such as funding for healthcare,” he said.

Dave Remingon said, “I disagree. The arts are amazing, they are who we are, they are part of what I call healthy community. Without the arts you don't have healthy communities.”

Another questioner, John Pariselli, the president of the North Frontenac Little Theatre, asked Reid whether museum or library finding is included under his definition of arts funding.

Scott Reid did not answer directly, but he added context to his earlier comment by noting that he happens to be an opera fan, “but that is a private interest of mine and I don't see why the public should be asked to subsidize my private interest.”

A line of questioning that clearly unnerved Scott Reid concerned a program he has funded himself, using money from an $20,000 MP salary raise in 2001. towards placing defibrilators throughout the riding.

“How many of those defibrilators are located in Frontenac County?” one questioner asked.

“I don't think it is right to put a regional spin on a program like this, which is set up to provide life-saving equipment for people,” Scott Reid said.

Dec 4/08 - Letters

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Letters - December 4,2008 Letters: December 4

And So It Goes, Robert Lovelace

CF Road Capital Improvement Plan, Logan Murry

Open Letter to CF Council and Public Works, Juergen Reinecke

And So itGoes

After centuries of failure, some things never change. Canada and its provinces have yet to learn that colonial muscle only leads to more resentment and conflict. The recent agreement between one First Nation, a surrogate First Nation, Ontario and a prospector have left a bitter taste in the mouths of honest people. For the most part, Shabot Obaadjiwan will be permitted to look over the shoulder of Frontenac Ventures while deep core drilling for lucrative uranium deposits takes place. Ontario calls it a victory, while many residents know that it was a defeat brought about with the threat of a $77 million lawsuit, court costs, fines and jail sentences.

The agreement between these colluding parties allows Frontenac Ventures to do what they intended to do in the first place. If they are not stopped the results of their exploration will be sold to a larger mining company that will develop an open pit uranium mine. That mine will operate for a decade or so and then close, leaving behind toxic tailing that will poison the Mississippi watershed. The most conservative research indicates that no environmental or health protection regulations have ever limited the development of an open pit uranium mine in Canada. Governments just don’t care to get involved. The aftermath is as predictable, every uranium mining site opened in Canada remains a toxic wasteland. There is no technology for containment of radio-active tailings that is good beyond 30 years; just long enough for your grandchildren to grow up.

The affects are already obvious. Beautiful land near Crotch Lake has been scraped clean for drilling and roads (called trails) have been forced across cold water streams and wetlands. Local real estate values have plummeted around the exploration area and lifelong tourists are relocating or looking elsewhere for other “little pieces of heaven”. People who are the “salt of the earth” have been threatened and feel powerless as Ontario ignores their petitions and intelligent concerns. I suppose for some, the fortunate few, Shabot Obaadjiwan, can at least relax now, their fight is over, they have played their part in the colonial dance with Ontario. For the rest of us it is not over, our responsibilities to the land and one another will continue.

Robert Lovelace

CF Road Capital Improvement Plan

I have a serious concern about the Road Capital Improvement Plan (RCIP) that will be discussed during the next meeting of council. It seems, from information gleaned on the township’s web site, that the public works department is proposing a long-term road budget that will effectively ensure that no money is available for approximately one third of the roads in the township. If it is passed, those of us who live on D and possibly some C classified roads can look forward to no monies being budgeted on our roads. The plan is very vague in certain areas and does not seem to deal with the roads from primarily a safety issue, and secondly from a cost benefit issue.

As an example there are several very unsafe areas of the Cranberry Lake Road and several areas where, given any significant rainfall, the road surface washes away. Surely fixing such problems brings a great degree of safety to the citizens who use that road and saves us from trucking gravel to the same areas over and over and having to grade those areas constantly. Fixing these types of areas properly and quickly insures that greater resources would be available on the rest of the road system and eliminates a significant waste of material and fuel.

The preamble to the plan recommends that council should “consider consultation with the public with regard to the implications of a RCIP”. Do we consider posting the plan the web site consultation? Do we intend to have this consultation when a significant number of ratepayers are not in the township? And on top of it all we paid a consultant to facilitate the plan. How much did that cost?

A number of these roads are already in abysmal condition and very poorly maintained, it would be ridiculous to exclude them from potential upgrading. If we simply dealt with road issues with some common sense and made sure the work, wherever we choose to upgrade our road stock, was done well and efficiently, not the case in way too many circumstances I have personally witnessed, then we can improve our roads at a sensible cost.

Logan Murray

Open Letter to CF Council and Public WorksI live on the Clarendon Road in Central Frontenac Township. After much conversation with various members of the community, I decided to voice my concerns in this form.

The subject is fairness and equality for all the residences of this township. I cannot give you an opinion on the road condition of the whole of Central Frontenac. However, I can give you the facts on the road system in my immediate proximity.

Starting in June there were multiple phone calls made to the public works department about the potholes, washouts, and general disrepair of the Willis Armstrong - Clarendon Road.

No return of my calls. Nothing happened. IGNORED.

After several more calls a grader was sent to grade the road but only part of it. Fed up, I tried to improve the rest of the road (2 miles) as best as possible, which I had to do another three times. Because of the horrendous roads, my farm equipment incurred damage costing $300. Thanks!

In August the road was graded the day before Blue Skies festival began (I guess so the locals couldn’t ruin the road before the festival). On that day the grader wanted to turn back again but my wife BEGGED him to complete the rest. He actually did and this was the first time that road was completely graded. Many thanks to the driver.

After the Blue Skies festival was over, the road was worse than before. Calls to the road department go unanswered - IGNORED AGAIN. All that time there is major roadwork on the Zealand Road and lots of times there are two graders sitting beside the road for days - 10 minutes from a road that is unsafe to travel on.

After more calls, nearing the end of the summer the roads finally got graded - that was the last time we saw a grader. Now the snow is flying and we are BEING IGNORED again. After seeing the snowplow not plowing some of the roads, which are connecting roads to other townships, I was informed that the duty to maintain these roads has been given to private contractors - undoubtedly to allow the roads manager to keep the promise to have all the roads serviced in under seven hours after a snowstorm.

Let all the roads be done by contractors and the township crews will be breaking records in snow clearing.

The township plow went by and six hours later the contractor came. It took him four trips to clear this part of the road. We now have a single lane road with no sand, making it nearly impossible for emergency vehicles to respond to any of the residences.

All the side roads were cut off for six hours because the township truck deposited snow banks blocking every intersection. Meanwhile I saw dead end roads with one residence on it close to town being plowed and sanded Thursday morning.

Saturday morning here. Single Lane - No Sand! The property owners in this area pay their share of the taxes and should get their fair share of services. People’s rights are being trampled on. They live and work here and these problems need to be corrected now.

As I complained to a township official, we spoke on my opinion that the closer you live to the main populated area the better service you get. I actually got to hear that people with half million dollar cottages expect proper service! I guess we little guys in the bush should pay our taxes and repair our damaged vehicles. Meanwhile our services should go to ****.

Juergen Reinecke

[Editor’s note: this is a condensed version of a letter that was sent to the township]

Dec 4/08 - Shabot Obaadjiwan Agree to Drilling

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Feature Article - December 4, 2008 Shabot Obaadjiwan comes to accommodation agreement with Frontenac VenturesBy Jeff Green

It took almost six months of negotiations, but the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, along with their Algonquin Land Claim partners, have inked an agreement with the Government of Ontario and Frontenac Ventures Corporation.

The agreement includes the abandonment of 17 mining claims by Frontenac Ventures, 11 on unpatented (Crown) land and 6 on privately owned land. In return the province has agreed to reinstate 22 lapsed claims to the company. It also provides for a steering committee, with aboriginal representatives, which will monitor the company’s drilling program.

The agreement deals with issues stemming from a court injunction by Ontario Justice Cunningham. In September of 2007 Cunningham ordered all protestors off the exploration property of Frontenac Ventures and granted the company leave to drill uranium test holes.

In February of 2008, Shabot Obaadjiwan Chief Doreen Davis, and War Chief Earl Badour, under threat of serving time in jail, entered into an undertaking to adhere to Justice Cunningham's order. Bob Lovelace, of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, refused to enter into such an undertaking and he was sentenced to six months jail time (he was released after 3 months after winning an appeal).

“By entering into this agreement, we have been able to remove sensitive lands from the mining claim, and we will be able to monitor the drilling program and ensure the holes are properly filled,” said Chief Doreen Davis of the agreement. “Until now, the company was able to drill without any monitoring by us. This agreement deals only with the program that had been ordered by Cunningham's injunction.”

In conjunction with the Accommodation Agreement, the Province of Ontario has agreed to pay $109,000 to Frontenac Ventures Corporation, which had been awarded to the company by Justice Cunningham to cover their legal costs in pursuing court injunctions. Until Ontario agreed to pay, the Shabot Obaadjiwan and Ardoch Algonquin First Nations (AAFN) were on the hook for the money.

The Ardoch Algonquins did not participate in the consultation process that led to the agreement.

Bob Lovelace, the spokesperson for the Ardoch Algonquins, received a letter from Doug Carr, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Negotiations and Reconciliation Division, of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, just as the agreement was to be announced.

The letter informed Lovelace of the agreement, and said “Ontario believes it has offered the AAFN reasonable opportunities to engage in a meaningful process of consultation including the most recent process ... unfortunately the AAFN chose not to participate in this process.”

Lovelace told the News that in early October there was indeed a meeting in Toronto between the Ardoch Algonquins and the two ministries involved. The AAFN then sent a letter to the province inviting everyone who attended the first meeting to come to the Ardoch area, “walk the land, have a meal, and continue talking. There has been no response until a week ago.”

AAFN has responded to the Accommodation Agreement in a statement that was released on Tuesday, December 2. In it they said the agreement with the Shabot Obbadjiwaan came about because of coercion on the part of the government. “Shabot acquiesced because they feared a renewal of prosecutions and because they faced court costs of $109,000. In addition, Frontenac Ventures continued a lawsuit of $77 million against them”.

The release concludes by stating that the AAFN “will continue to oppose exploration for uranium and hold Ontario to their legal responsibility to consult and accommodate in an honest and equitable way.”

One of the advantages to the accommodation agreement, according to Doreen Davis, is that it is tied to a commitment that all future mining activities, including staking activities, within the Algonquin Land Claim, will be filtered through the land claim process.

“Nothing like this will happen again in our territory,” Davis said, “and those claims that have been withdrawn will remain that way until the land claim is settled.”

Concerned Citizens Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) whose members joined with both the Shabot Obaadjiwan and the Ardoch Algonquins in the occupation of the Robertsville mine, has also responded to the Accommodation Agreement.

“These negotiations were conducted behind closed doors with no involvement whatsoever by property owners, businesses or any of the 23 municipal governments in southern Ontario that have petitioned the Province for a moratorium against uranium exploration and drilling. We believe that this shows that the McGuinty government does not take seriously the concerns of 2 million residents represented by these Councils, which include Ottawa, Kingston, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and many other smaller townships and counties in eastern Ontario,” CCAMU said in a release.

CCAMU reiterated its call for “a moratorium on exploration of uranium in Eastern Ontario.”

First Nations, industry and Ontario government build stronger relationships in eastern Ontario.Press release by Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

The Shabot Obaadjiwan and Snimikobi Algonquin communities, together with the Algonquins of Ontario, Frontenac Ventures Corporation and the Ontario government, have successfully consulted on the company’s proposed uranium exploration plans in Frontenac County, north of Kingston.

All participants in the consultations agreed on specific measures to protect health, safety, the environment and respect and protect Aboriginal values and interests. A steering committee with Algonquin and Frontenac Ventures Corporation representation will visit proposed drilling sites and engage in ongoing discussion throughout the exploration program.

As well, the company volunteered to remove some of the lands at issue from its exploration plans. Ontario has withdrawn those lands from further mineral staking.

"This is an example of how by working together in a spirit of cooperation and respect, we can find creative solutions in the face of challenging situations," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

"I'm pleased all parties were able to find a workable solution that balances the interests of the Algonquin communities and industry while protecting the environment," said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

“I’m glad to see that a peaceful solution could be reached and that all the parties will be working together to protect the environment and the interests of the Algonquins,” said Chief Randy Malcolm, Snimikobi Algonquin Community.

“As a result of sharing knowledge, meaningful collaboration, dialogue and understanding between Aboriginal people, government and industry, we have Aboriginal values, environmental concerns, health and safety issues, best practices and a host of other matters as part of a consultation and accommodation process that balances the interests of all parties,” said Chief Doreen Davis, Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquin Community.

“The consultation process has been a valuable learning experience for all parties. Frontenac embraces the opportunity to pursue the first phase of its exploration program with the benefit of a productive and respectful relationship with the Algonquins,” said George White, President of Frontenac Ventures Corporation

(Please see And So it Goes a letter in response by Bob Lovelace.)

Back to HomeFeature Article - June 11, 2009 Anti-uranium art show in MaberlyBy Jeff Green

Paul Gervin and Wolfe Ehrlichman presented a skit with Dumbglo the $28 billion (and counting) elephant

The protest against uranium exploration in North Frontenac has taken many forms, and on May 31 it was the turn of the artists, as a group of activists/artists - or perhaps artists/activists presented a diverse set of works at a one-day show at the Maberly Hall.

The art was as varied as the political struggle has been, taking on Aboriginal issues, issues of social justice, and the question of uranium mining in addition to the protest against exploration.

Sulyn Cedar presented a spoken word piece that sprang from her tangles with the police at the Robertsville site. Among the 20 or so varied pieces on display, woodcarver Mickie Mackie showed a carved Osprey he spent a year making as a gesture in support of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, who have an Osprey on their own flag. The Sullivan family took photographs of No Uranium signs from the surrounding countryside and mounted them on a background. Students from Sharbot Lake High School made a large puppet, with the assistance of artist Cheryl Matson, to be used in protests. Other artists, including Sandy McNulty, Isidora Spielmann, Carol Pepper, Martina Field, and Sheila Macdonald also presented pieces, and Dave Dawson read a poem about the struggle, followed by an appearance by Dwayne Scudder.

Filmmaker Liisa Rissanen presented a 30-minute film about a group of canoeists who traveled from Mud Lake at Ardoch all the way to Parliament Hill to present water to Scott Reid and declare a moratorium on uranium prospecting on Algonquin territory. And in the realm of theatre, Paul Gervin and Wolfe Ehrlichman presented a skit with Dumbglo the $28 billion (and counting) elephant that they have prepared for use at political gatherings this summer as a protest against Ontario's plans to build new nuclear reactors.

All in all, the art show was an opportunity for the varied currents of thought and action about the uranium process and the local struggle to be expressed.

To mark the second anniversary of the start of the occupation of the Robertsville mine site, the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) is planning their next event on June 28. A potluck dinner and dance will be held, also at the Maberly Hall, featuring the popular Perth dance band BeatleJuice. Tickets are $20 for the fundraising event. For information, call Sulyn Cedar at 613-268-2424.