As premier, John Tory says he would enforce a "one law for all" legal system and apply it to aboriginals who occupy lands as a form of protest against proposed developments.
During a conference call with Osprey Media Group, the Progressive Conservative leader suggested Thursday he would establish a zero-tolerance policy on aboriginal land occupations if he is elected premier of Ontario on Oct. 10.
"We can't have even legitimate complaints settled by people taking the law into their own hands," Tory said.
Algonquins have set up a campsite on private property in eastern Ontario near Sharbot Lake, where Oakville-based Frontenac Ventures has staked several uranium mining claims.
The Algonquins said they are protecting their land, which is a disputed territory subject to land claim negotiations, from environmental harm.
Tory said he would have "firm but friendly" conversations with aboriginal leaders to tell them his government would not stand for such tactics.
He didn't elaborate on what that meant.
Late last month, Superior Court Justice Gordon Thomson issued an injunction against the Algonquins, ordering the blockade to end.
As of Thursday, it was still being ignored.
The Sharbot Lake blockade is one of several aboriginal occupations in the province.
Tory said he wouldn't "just sit back" and allow occupations to "go on in place after place after place."
He also admonished Premier Dalton McGuinty for not using the courts or the "moral authority" of the premier's office to end land disputes.
Related
Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
District Profiles
More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
