Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant says Ottawa needs to take decisive action resolving the outstanding land claims in Caledonia.

Bryant said the frustrations of both residents and members of the Six Nations reserve are rising and "it's time for the [federal] government to set a deadline."

The occupation in Caledonia has been going on for more than two years. Bryant said that during that time, the federal government has been sitting on its hands.

"We are in the midst of a 200-year-old dispute and the frustration in the communities is escalating," Bryant said Wednesday at Queen's Park.

The request for a deadline came as a surprise to federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, who said Bryant never talked to him about it.

"We put forward a couple of good faith offers. We're in negations on those offers," Strahl told reporters in Ottawa. "If Mr. Bryant has some ideas on what else he would like to see, I am happy to hear from him."

A provincial official said the lack of progress in negotiations indicates it's clear Strahl needs to improve on those offers.

Conservative Leader John Tory said Bryant is not going far enough. Tory said the government needs to take two immediate steps.

"One is to get rid of the lawless behaviour, occupations and extortion. And another one would be to at least get another offer on the table for the aboriginal people to consider."

Bryant did not give any details about how his proposed deadline would work. He said if there was no progress after a while, the land claims could go to binding arbitration.