- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 110
From the Hamilton Spectator, Friday May 23, 2008
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/373755
This article is somewhat different than the one on the cover of the newspaper today, as it makes no mention of the Canadian Forces request. Here's how the print version begins.
"The City of Brantford wants to put the Canadian Forces on notice for a potential riot by aboriginal protestors. That request is a highlight of a court document that goes before the Superior Court today and which includes a request for $110-million in damages and relief. The motion being filed by the city asks the judge to notify the attorney general that the services of the 'Canadian Forces are required' because tensions continue to rise as the frequency of protests picks up. 'A physical confrontation and disturbance of the peace or riot is inevitable and imminent,' said the motion"
It then continues with the line 'we felt, as council...' and continues as is printed online (for the most part). I'm not sure why there are two published versions of this, and why the CF isn't mentioned in the online article, it is kind of an important part of the story and has a sub-headline on the paper today.
Communities near my home in Hamilton have been dealing with strong native protests for the past few years, I'm not certain whether or not the Canadian Forces have been put on notice before but the headline certainly caught my eye. So I'm curious to hear opinions on this, whether this situation seems to warrant Canadian Forces participation and what people think in general about CF personnel being utilized in disputes with first nations people.
My opinion thusfar is that the native land disputes have been completely mismanaged by all levels of government. Both McGuinty provincially and Harper federally seem to want to keep this issue away from them with a 10-foot pole. I understand politicians wanting to avoid being responsible if any deaths occur as a result to these protests, that's serious political baggage when facing elections, but a hands off approach is not making this go away. I guess I just worry about Canadian Forces being put in a situation, where they could be villified for doing their job if things go badly, especially when the politicians are so afraid to go near this problem that there is no real leadership being shown in resolving this situation other than with using force as a deterrent. If the situation is serious enough to call in Canadian Forces, then it is serious enough to warrant direct, focused and unflinching attention from our governments and politicians.
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/373755
This article is somewhat different than the one on the cover of the newspaper today, as it makes no mention of the Canadian Forces request. Here's how the print version begins.
"The City of Brantford wants to put the Canadian Forces on notice for a potential riot by aboriginal protestors. That request is a highlight of a court document that goes before the Superior Court today and which includes a request for $110-million in damages and relief. The motion being filed by the city asks the judge to notify the attorney general that the services of the 'Canadian Forces are required' because tensions continue to rise as the frequency of protests picks up. 'A physical confrontation and disturbance of the peace or riot is inevitable and imminent,' said the motion"
It then continues with the line 'we felt, as council...' and continues as is printed online (for the most part). I'm not sure why there are two published versions of this, and why the CF isn't mentioned in the online article, it is kind of an important part of the story and has a sub-headline on the paper today.
Communities near my home in Hamilton have been dealing with strong native protests for the past few years, I'm not certain whether or not the Canadian Forces have been put on notice before but the headline certainly caught my eye. So I'm curious to hear opinions on this, whether this situation seems to warrant Canadian Forces participation and what people think in general about CF personnel being utilized in disputes with first nations people.
My opinion thusfar is that the native land disputes have been completely mismanaged by all levels of government. Both McGuinty provincially and Harper federally seem to want to keep this issue away from them with a 10-foot pole. I understand politicians wanting to avoid being responsible if any deaths occur as a result to these protests, that's serious political baggage when facing elections, but a hands off approach is not making this go away. I guess I just worry about Canadian Forces being put in a situation, where they could be villified for doing their job if things go badly, especially when the politicians are so afraid to go near this problem that there is no real leadership being shown in resolving this situation other than with using force as a deterrent. If the situation is serious enough to call in Canadian Forces, then it is serious enough to warrant direct, focused and unflinching attention from our governments and politicians.