August 7, 2020

There are many things going on to resolve this protest and it is changing rapidly. As an update today Haldimand County received the support in court for a blanket injunction covering our roads and property. Also the developers received judge’s support of their injunction as well. CN is currently getting an injunction as well. All of which will require the OPP to enforce.

I have been in several conversations with the following people, Deputy Commissioner John Cain and Detachment Commander Phil Carter of the OPP, representatives of both Ballantry and Losani Homes, Chief Mark Hill of the band council, and many other members of Six Nations.

I have asked the Premier for a conference call with his Ministers and Chief Hill to discuss some possible solutions and am waiting for a response.

For the record, I do not support this protest, the people involved and their behaviour. I truly believe that they do not reflect all the people of Six Nations. They are bringing harm to the good spirited and natured people of Six Nations with their demonstrations.

They say that the Confederacy was not consulted. They say no accommodations were made. They say they are protecting the land and their claim. Yet I would ask why now are they coming out? The process to consult occurred many years ago. Six Nations was notified by both the County and the Band Council of this development. That includes members of the Confederacy.

The developers took upon themselves to go further without any legal obligation to offer land and money to Six Nations as a token of respect. This has nothing to do with the ongoing land claim that is taking 27 years to get in front of federal courts. An issue that needs addressing.

So when this development was made public, there were public meetings in Haldimand and Band Council hosted public meetings on Six Nations with an openness about the arrangement structure with the developers. If these individuals did not like the arrangement it was at that time to make it known to Band Council for accepting it. If the Confederacy felt the same, it was at that time to discuss it further. If that divide continues then it should be within Six Nations that they debate and discuss these concerns not on McKenzie Meadows.

The developer followed a process, Haldimand County followed a process and Band Council followed a process. All of which was open to the public for scrutiny all along.

Holding the developer back and those excited new homeowners from realizing their dream is nonsense and like the Premier states, “enough is enough”.

Why does it take 27 years to hear a claim let alone settle one? I understand the complexities that exist but I would say once again, “enough is enough”. Every member of Six Nations deserves to be angry with this process and each one of us should be asking our federal government, why?

I fully can appreciate their frustration and the anger, but I do not condone the methods by which they are exercising that frustration and anger. It is deplorable that our governments have treated our indigenous friends in this matter but wronging a wrong is not the solution and hurting your neighbours is not the path to success.

As Mayor, I will continue to follow any methods that will help push the local outstanding claim forward. I will work with all those involved to continue to look at shared opportunities with Six Nations such as the waterline project that would see fresh Lake Erie water to all or parts of Six Nations.

I will NOT work with and or support anyone who thinks that acts of civil disobedience are an appropriate way to make their point. I will push for the OPP to apply the injunctions on those breaking the judge’s orders and I will look to our judicial system to apply the law on those that so just deserve it.

I am providing this information for those that have interest in what is going on. I know that many of you will have opinions and thoughts and I ask that while it is an emotionally charged situation, please refrain from any racial comments as I will delete anything that suggest so.

Stay Safe……​

Mayor Ken Hewitt

Haldimand County Council

Stewart Patterson
John Metcalfe
Dan Lawrence
Tony Dalimonte
Rob Shirton
Bernie Corbett