Politicized policing, incites call for citizen militias

News coming out of the embattled south-western Ontario community of Caledonia in staid, old Haldimand County is truly surreal if not nightmarish.

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As some readers might be aware, Caledonia has been the scene of often brutal land seizures by Mohawks claiming ownership of privately held property for about two years. The activity has apparently provoked deep fear, mistrust and polarization in a region that once boasted of harmonious relationships between surrounding communities and the First Nations people. I do not have personal knowledge of what led up to the change in tactics among the Mohawks, but something provoked it. Perhaps a lack of progress involving land claims sparked the occupations or as the population of the region expands, Mohawks might have become weary of housing or other projects encroaching on their territory. Whatever sparked the spate of occupations and evictions appears to be a moot point since events are starting to turn ugly and the blame must be firmly planted at the feet of Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government and the politicizing of law enforcement by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Haldimand County. The results of political meddling in policing will come back to haunt the government just as it has already scarred the reputation of what was once viewed as the finest police force in the country. But it is the residents of Haldimand and the Mohawk Nation that will pay the price in bitterness, hatred, fear and possibly violence. A couple of days ago a notice went out in the county and over the Internet that reads:

Caledonia Militia

by Doug Fleming June 14, 2009 Enough is enough! Due to the ongoing reality that the OPP refuses to enforce the Criminal Code with regards to people's property rights I am forming the Caledonia Militia to ensure that the criminal code is upheld in Haldimand County. Section 38 - 42 of the Criminal Code outlines the rights of all citizens to lawfully protect their property against trespassers and against those who would steal private property. Parliament has seen fit to allow citizens the right to use reasonable force to remove trespassers from private property. The OPP has threatened the legal owners of properties stating they will be arrested instead of the trespassers. Superior courts have already ruled that such arrests by the OPP would be illegal. The Cayuga injunction ruling stated "the police have no right to prevent the plaintiffs from acting within their rights under Section 41 of the Criminal Code. Their warning to the plaintiffs that they would arrest anyone who is involved in a physical confrontation, regardless of the circumstances, is an abuse of the power conferred on them (the OPP) by Section 31 of the Criminal Code". Any member of the public who wishes to join the Caledonia Militia to aid in the enforcement of the Criminal Code is welcome to attend an information session at Cayuga Lion's Hall, Tuesday, June 23rd at 7 P.M. Hotheads need not apply. We're opposing terrorism, not engaging in it. We will follow established procedures on the use of reasonable force to remove illegal trespassers. Trespassers will be arrested and turned over to the OPP for the prosecution of their offences. Your community needs you.”

My question is, did it have to come to this? The creation of a militia means some residents have lost faith and trust in the police to be fair and even-handed. Citizens might also feel a disconnect between themselves and the police and politicians from who they need protection. Many are accusing McGuinty creating a race-based enforcement policy in the area and there is some evidence to support that fear. There have been many reports emanating from Caledonia with examples of the OPP charging anyone who dares challenge the occupiers. People arrested for attempting to raise the Canadian flag, complaints of brutality by police officers against white residents, standing by while acts of vandalism and assaults took place have abounded. And yet, the response from McGuinty has been to slough off the blame onto the Federal Government. Such dereliction of duty on the part of the government and the race-based law enforcement practised by the OPP is what is driving people to form militias. They feel it necessary to protect themselves. While the militia announcement clearly states the group is not interested in violent action, they say “reasonable force” will be used. What does that mean? Another question might be: what other options are open to them? If neither the police nor the government will help then what else is left? It is the politicizing of the police that has driven Haldimand residents to this point. They are part of the problem not part of the solution. Perhaps it is time they were replaced by the RCMP. Or, if there is any goodwill left between Caledonia residents and the Mohawks perhaps they will have to step forward in unity and demand a resolution. Neither government intransigence nor race-based policing will solve anything. And while I can sympathize with both sides, sending citizen militias into the mix will only further inflame the situation. And yet one has to wonder just how far people are prepared to go to protect their homes and property. I suspect we are about to find out.