Here are the preliminary results of the election as reported by Elections Canada: 

Gary captured 10% of the popular vote with nearly 5,000 votes! He also scored 1st or 2nd in every Caledonia poll. Just as interesting, 62% of Gary’s votes came from outside Caledonia, signifying that there is a broad base of support both in and outside Caledonia for his/our efforts to fight race-based policing. Caledonia’s victims should be pleased to know that some of their neighbours really do care about their plight.

Here’s how the Simcoe Reformer wrote the story:

Hoskins was clearly hurt by the presence of McHale, whose reach went beyond Caledonia. He actually won a poll in Hagersville while finishing second ahead of Hoskins in other Haldimand communities such as Kohler and Fisherville. In Caledonia, McHale took roughly half the 20 polls and tied two with Hoskins. Wherever Hoskins went in Haldimand, McHale seemed sure to follow, sucking votes away.

But it is also telling that Finley endured in Caledonia, winning three polls there and finishing a respectable third in many others. This was supposed to be her undoing and it wasn’t. The Liberals failed to gain traction there, right in the heart of a nasty political crisis, or in any other part of the riding for that matter.

Simcoe Reformer, Oct 16/08: Conservatives hang on, even in the face of crisis

Karen Best of the Dunnville Chronicle offered these observations on Gary’s strength:

Both [PC Finley and Liberal Hoskins] were out distanced by independent candidate Gary McHale in almost every poll in Caledonia.

Compared to Norfolk County statisitcs, the tide turned in polls located in Haldimand County. In Jarvis, Selkirk, and Hagersville polls, McHale was getting about 40 votes in each. In one Hagersville poll, he pulled ahead of the top contenders with a 49-vote count.

In Caledonia, preliminary results showed McHale’s popularity. Finley won just two polls and Hoskins won three polls along with tying McHale at two others. The rest of the town was McHale’s. In one poll, he eclipsed the front runners with 106 votes compared to their 50 and 60 scores. In some polls, he was 20 to 30 votes ahead.

In Cayuga, Finley won the three polls, one with double the votes for Hoskins. The McHale factor played a roll in results. In two polls, he had more votes than the Liberal candidate. With his vote count ranging from 27 to 67, the independent candidate made his dent in statistics.

Finley won the Canfield polls where McHale was ahead of Nichols. McHale took a whopping 66 votes in Kohler surpassing Hoskins’ 53 and breathing down Finley’s 76-vote count.

In Fisherville and Selkirk, McHale pulled in front of Hoskins in three polls.

Dunnville Chronicle, Oct 17/08: Voters speak at the polls

A great victory for victims of race-based policing!

For two years, politicians and members of the OPP have been trying to paint Gary McHale as an ‘outsider/interloper’ with no support from the community. That myth has now been shattered forever! Almost 5,000 people voted for Gary – NOT for any party – and for his message that the law should be applied equally to protect all citizens from lawlessness during land claim disputes.

Dunnville Chronicle: Independent McHale makes strong showing in first campaign

There was disappointment, but also a sense of vindication as Haldimand- Norfolk Independent candidate Gary McHale earned more than 4,800 votes in Tuesday’s federal election.

The 46-year-old civil rights advocate finished in fourth place with 4,821 votes, earning 10 per cent of the total votes cast in the riding. Conservative Diane Finley was re-elected with 19,657 votes while Liberal candidate Eric Hoskins earned 15,577 votes and NDP candidate Ian Nichols received 5,549 votes.

“Obviously it’s disappointing, but at the same time more than 4,600 people at this point chose to vote for me and not for a party,” McHale told The Chronicle shortly after Finley’s re-election was announced around 11 p. m. on Tuesday. “As an independent it’s very hard to get anyone to vote for you. This also destroys the myth that somehow there are only 40 to 100 people who support me in Caledonia. Obviously there are thousands of people who want me to be a strong voice.”

McHale said voter support for his campaign provided a sense of vindication. “The government wanted to paint me as an evil person who created all the violence (in Caledonia) when the truth of the matter is that that’s not true,” he said. “The average person saw me as someone who had a strong voice for them.”

Mark Vandermaas, vice president and director of research for CANACE, has worked with McHale for the past two years and was alongside him throughout this election campaign. Even though the election results didn’t provide the “fairytale ending” that McHale and his supporters wanted Vandermaas viewed the final count of 4,821 votes as a great accomplishment.

“It’s just been such an amazing ride,” he said shortly after Finley was declared re-elected Haldimand-Norfolk MP. “If you look at where Gary’s been– he’s been arrested, had his life threatened, been attacked, sent to a hospital and lost his home for Caledonia. He’s had his reputation smeared especially by the OPP and supporters of the Douglas Creek occupation so to get to here I think that’s an amazing accomplishment. He’s made believers of about 4,600 people at this point.”

“I think it will be very hard for people to look at Gary and try to blame him for all the problems in Caledonia,” Vandermaas added. “Looking at the election results there are at least 4,600 people who disagree. From here on in I think the politicians ignore the injustices in Caledonia at their peril.”

Vandermaas said he expected McHale would take a short breather and then continue civil rights activities in Haldimand.

“We will continue to seek justice for people, native and non-native, in Caledonia,” he said. “We have a duty to continue to speak out for victims of injustice. Gary is just someone who never gives up–he won’t quit. He said to me that he didn’t care if anybody in Caledonia wanted him there. He would still go because it’s the right thing to do.”

Dunnville Chronicle, Doreen Hoover, Oct 17/08: Independent McHale makes strong showing in first campaign

Other great election stories

• Simcoe Reformer, Oct 16/08: Conservatives hang on, even in the face of crisis
• CWUC blog, Jeff Parkinson, Oct 15/08: Apathy prevails in federal election
• Simcoe Reformer, Oct 15/08: Candidates expect to be back next time (no mention of Hoskins!)
  .
  McHale quote: “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “The Charter of Rights isn’t going away. I will continue to fight for the people of Caledonia.”.

What’s next?

The struggle against race-based policing will continue to the best of our ability. On Thursday, Oct 16/08 – two days after the election – Gary provided a Hamilton court judge with proof that OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino directed his officers to target Gary for arrest in connection with the Dec 01/07 smokeshack protest in Caledonia before the investigation had begun. Please see VoiceofCanada article, ‘McHale submits ‘smoking gun’ Fantino email to Hamilton court‘ for more info.

Also, please continue to refer to www.canace.ca, www.caledoniawakeupcall.com and www.voiceofcanada for further information.

Thank you!

The McHale campaign would like to thank all those who volunteered their time and/or donated funds to help support Gary.

Thank you to all those who supported Gary by casting a ballot for him.

Thank you to all those who supported democracy by voting for another candidate.

The Gary McHale campaign was very pleased when Richard Robillard of Generation Zel! Radio (www.Genzel.ca) informed his listeners he was, for the first time in his life, not going to vote Conservative, but for Gary McHale. 

Richard has followed the Caledonia crisis closely and has supported the efforts to restore the rule of law in Haldimand. He spent about an hour with Gary during the Delhi Fair and wrote his original endorsement shortly afterwards.

Richard has just posted a new Thanksgiving endorsement reminding voters that Gary truly deserves their support:

So this election, I’ve decided to go with the maverick. The one who has promised to stand up for our area because he doesn’t have to tow a party line. The one who has been in our area addressing the black eye that is ruining our economy. The one who shows passion, leadership and integrity. I know how this man stands on an issue because he makes it clear. Love him or hate him, at least you know he will defend Haldimand-Norfolk. I ask you to give Gary McHale strong consideration when you go to the ballot tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving.

Generation Zel Radio (www.Genzel.ca), Oct 13/08: This Election – Dare to Believe

Richard, thanks for your confidence in Gary; it is well placed. I do hope you’ll join us at the Election Night Party. Win or lose, MP or not, Gary has already scored a big victory for Haldimand by his participation in this election.

P.S. Voters may be interested in Richard’s take on Bob Speller’s silly statements made to Gary McHale during the Norfolk Fair in Bob Speller embarasses himself at Norfolk Fair.

References

• GaryMcHale.ca, Sept 25/08: Generation Zel! Radio endorses Gary McHale
• Generation Zel! Radio, Genzel.ca, Oct 11/08: Bob Speller embarasses himself at Norfolk Fair
• GaryMcHale.ca, Oct 11/08: McHale campaign exposes last minute Liberal smear effort

Two well-known Liberals close to the Hoskins campaign have recently made false allegations that the McHale campaign is being secretly funded and/or backed by people other than grassroots voters as required by Canadian law:

Questions arise about the finances of this election campaign. McHale’s campaign is estimated to cost from $10,000 to $50,000. A truly independent candidate could not raise that amount of money. How could McHale pay these additional debts? How can he arrange financing while claiming to be nearly bankrupt?

The Sachem, Oct 10/08, Letter to Editor: Darrell Doxtdator - Are you getting your money’s worth? 

Mr. McHale’s initial response to these sleazy statements and others by former MP Bob Speller is below, followed by additional commentary and facts about Mr. Doxtdator and the McHale campaign:

======================================

In the past 24 hrs I have had two Liberal supporters directly say that they know that some secret group is behind me. In the Sachem newspaper Darrell Doxtdator, a clear supporter of Eric Hoskins, states that my campaign is estimated to cost $10,000-$50,000 and a “truly independent candidate could not raise that amount of money.” http://www.sachem.ca/opinions/article/146631

Tonight Bob Speller (the previous Liberal MP) confronted me with this same type of allegation that somehow some secret group was behind me.

Mr. Hoskins told me tonight that these people were not following any instructions given by him and that he doesn’t believe I have done anything wrong. I took Mr. Hoskins at his word that his people were not involved with Mr. Doxtdator’s attempt to smear me but after a well-known Liberal (Bob Speller) made the same allegation on the same day appears to be not a coincidence.

Doxtdator has been with Eric’s people at each debate over the past 2 weeks. Doxtdator has been photographing my campaign signs and sharing documents with Eric’s people – I have witnessed this with my own eyes. Bob Speller is directly connected to Eric’s campaign and Mr. Speller clearly implies that some group which he claims to know is backing me. The following is part of the dialogue regarding this alleged secret group – as I remember it.

Bob: “Your people took my signs in the last election.”

Gary: “My people? I am an Independent.”

Bob: “I know who is behind you”

Gary: “Who?”

Bob: “I know”

Gary “Who, then?”

Bob: “I know who is behind you”

Gary: “You have just contradicted what Eric told me over the phone today.”

Bob: “What?”

Gary: “Eric told me that his people were not questioning who was behind me but now you say you know who is behind me as if I have done something wrong.”

Gary: “What is your name?”

Bob: “You don’t know who I am?”

Gary: “No, what is your name?”

Bob: “You don’t know me and you are running in this riding!”

Mr. Speller then walked away.

This last minute smear campaign by two of Hoskins’ supporters is outrageous and only proves that Eric’s team has become aware that they will lose this election. The residents of Haldimand-Norfolk should be outraged that the Liberals would resort to such tactics.

Gary McHale

======================================

Facts about Mr. Doxtdator

• Mr. Doxtdator is a lawyer who is not permitted to practice law because, according to the Law Society of Upper Canada website, his licence has been suspended. (Record accessed at 1:17 pm, Oct 11/08)
  .
• He lives next door to Gary McHale’s Official Agent, Merlyn Kinrade who has known his family since 1946. Merlyn and his father went to school together. Merlyn was an invited guest at the family’s celebration party when he graduated from law school.
  .
• He has a Hoskins sign on his lawn, and has been seen at the debates with other Liberal supporters.
  .
• He has never met or spoken to Gary privately.
  .
• He has published other derogatory letters about Gary in local papers.
  .
• Merlyn has invited him to his home for dinner on several occasions to meet Gary and discuss the situation in Caledonia, but he has refused to do so.
  .
• Merlyn personally called former Six Nations Chief David General to invite him to be a guest speaker at Gary’s Oct 08/07 pre-election ‘Remember Us’ March alongside Joe Gualtieri and Sixth Line’s 15 year-old ‘Dancer.’ Merlyn wanted the Chief to join Caledonia in denouncing the violence that has also victimized native people. The Chief refused. Mr. Doxtdator was his Political Advisor.

One would think that as a trained lawyer, Mr. Doxtdator would understand the importance of understanding the facts and having credible evidence before making spurious allegations. This is called ‘due diligence.’ The views of a lawyer who makes unsupported allegations after repeatedly refusing to accept invitations from a lifelong family friend to walk next door to engage in a calm and rational exchange of views with a civil rights leader who wants only to stop violence and human rights violations against innocent people cannot be taken seriously.

Facts about Gary McHale and the campaign

• The McHale campaign in general, and Merlyn Kinrade as the Official Agent in particular, have been scrupulous in adhering to the requirements of Elections Canada. Here is just one example:Recently, while campaigning at the Hagersville Farmer’s Market, a voter offered to make a $100 cash donation via five $20 bills. Campaign manager Mark Vandermaas informed her that all donations over $20 must be made by cheque. She then provided a cheque for $100, took a lawn sign and left. Mr. Vandermaas did not notice that the cheque was a company cheque; all donations must be made via personal cheque. After the cheque was turned in Merlyn Kinrade realized the error, contacted the voter and drove over to her home to exchange the business cheque for a personal one.
  .
• The McHale campaign has been funded by grassroots donations by private individuals in complete accordance with Canadian election laws.
  .
• There is NO other group, secret or otherwise, funding our campaign.
  .
• By the context of their statements, Mr. Doxtdator and Mr. Spelling seem to be insinuating that the Conservative Party is somehow secretly and/or illegally backing the McHale campaign financially. This is a false and disgusting allegation against both Mr. McHale and the Conservative Party.
  .
• All campaigns are required to be audited by an accountant and submitted to Elections Canada for review. The McHale campaign is no different.
  .
• Despite the serious allegations made near the end of a federal election campaign, we are disappointed to report that The Sachem did not contact the McHale campaign prior to publishing Mr. Doxtdator’s letter.

Commentary

For the past two-plus years various groups who have been opposed to Gary’s attempts to expose the injustices of race-based policing and the inaction of politicians have used smear tactics to try to discredit his message that no one has the right to victimize innocent people  during a land claim dispute and that police should enforce the law without regard to race.

Those who have engaged in this smear campaign have included members of the OPP, supporters of the DCE occupiers who have victimized Caledonia, and various Liberal politicians including Dalton McGuinty, David Peterson, and Michael Bryant. Now, we have Darrell Doxtdator and Bob Speller making unfounded allegations in support of the Hoskins campaign.

This distasteful, last-minute attempt to smear the name of a good man who has done nothing but speak up for the innocent victims in Caledonia shows just how out of touch the Liberals are with the people and the pain in Caledonia. They are so arrogant and so uninformed as to believe that voters could not possibly donate money to support the man who has so gallantly supported them for two years against an Ontario Liberal government. How they could even think this after the Caledonia debate defies logic. 

No one – even a Liberal – could mistake the support shown for Gary at the Caledonia debate, therefore, no one – even a Liberal – could honestly believe that he couldn’t raise campaign funds from angry residents. This most obvious conclusion makes the Doxtdator/Speller allegations even more suspicious.

The McHale campaign wants to believe that Dr. Eric Hoskins himself had nothing to do with this sorry affair, and we hope it is true. One thing is certain, however: prominent Liberals close to his campaign are engaged in making sleazy allegations with no proof whatsoever.

Reporter to McHale associate: “You guys don’t lie.”

Several months back, during a conversation with Mark Vandermaas about a Caledonia-related story, a reporter told him he had complete confidence in the material Mr. Vandermaas had provided because, as he said, “You guys don’t lie.”

When this campaign is over and the audits are completed, voters will see for themselves that Gary McHale was, as always, telling the truth as the victim of yet another smear campaign to silence his voice on behalf of the people of Caledonia.

Updates

Gary has already appeared on a radio station to counter the Liberal smear tactics, and is working to make other media outlets aware of the situation in between previously-scheduled meetings with seniors in the Simcoe/Waterford area.

“How a back bencher can affect a vote will depend on the composition of the house, Siegel [said that] in the past it has been shown that one vote can be very important, he added referring to independent MP Charles Cadman. In 2005, his vote in support of the Liberal budget prevented an election.”

“So if the new government is a minority, again a sole independent vote will be very important, pointed out Siegel. In the case of a majority, no one on the minority has much influence, he added.”

“All members of Parliament have a certain station so if McHale is elected he will be able to get more attention than the least member of the New Democratic Party, he noted. Also an independent does not have to follow a party line, he added.”

The professor said it is well known that land claims are a significant issue in this riding and was not surprised to hear Dion or Harper had not visited Caledonia. “Party leaders don’t want to step on a mine field,” he noted.

“Allowed a rebuttal, McHale asked, “If the parties could have helped for two and a half years, where have they been?”"

Dunnville Chronicle, Oct 10/08: Independent MP versus Party members

The room was filled to capacity – about 500 people or so.

So, tell us about YOUR accomplishments in Caledonia, Dr. Eric

Gary held his own very well during the debate through a wide range of questions, but especially when a woman from Caledonia wearing a Hoskins button tried to accuse him of being the cause of all of Caledonia’s problems. She didn’t mention the fact that she lived on River Road, nowhere near the occupied Douglas Creek Estates and its associated lawlessness that has victimized so many innocent people nearby. She seemed deliberately obtuse/oblivious to the fact that it wasn’t Gary McHale who attacked Caledonia’s people or infrastructure; she was obviously trying to give her Liberal candidate an opening to attack McHale, which he did. Unfortunately, it backfired.

Dr. Eric, the man none of us active in the struggle to restore the rule of law in Caledonia have ever heard of until the election was called, actually had the temerity to suggest that Gary McHale had not accomplished a single thing during the past two years.

Gary used his closing remarks to hammer Dr. Eric and his Liberal plant by telling the crowd about just one of his many Caledonia-related accomplishments: how he helped a Cayuga builder facing bankruptcy due to native occupations and OPP inaction by personally going into court to lay 9 charges – Mischief, Intimidation & Extortion – via private prosecutions. Thanks to Gary, there were no further occupations; the development is almost finished; most homes are sold and people are moving in. How’s THAT Dr. Eric? Now…tell us about YOUR accomplishments in Caledonia.

Dr. Eric, we expected better from you

Given that we know that Dr. Eric reads our website (he told us so), it would seem that he’s being a little economical with the truth. Why not judge for yourself? Visit the About Gary page and read Gary’s Caledonia resume. Then go visit www.erichoskins.ca and see if you can even find the word Caledonia more than once on his site!

Suggesting that Gary McHale hasn’t accomplished anything in Caledonia despite having access to a mountain of evidence to the contrary is a desperate cheap shot that demeans Dr. Eric and his campaign. It would be like saying Dr. Eric didn’t do anything worthwhile with his life when he went overseas to help victims of war. It’s not true. It’s not fair. It’s just plain smarmy.

How many times have Liberals mentioned Caledonia in the House?

Dr. Eric stated that Liberal researchers had reviewed the House of Commons hansard and could not find a single instance where Diane Finley had used the word ‘Caledonia’ in the House. Great research, but one can’t help but wonder how many times the Liberals have raised it themselves? We’re betting the number is between one and minus one.

‘Dr. Eric, if you don’t win, are you going to set up a practice in the riding?’

The very first questioner asked this very great question to which Dr. Eric refused to provide an answer. The crowd kept calling for him to answer Yes or No, forcing the moderator to tell the crowd to judge the answer for themselves. Gary then advised that Dr. Eric had provided similar non-answers to the same question in previous debates.

Gary McHale and NDP’s Ian Nichols show compassion to migrant workers

The meeting was interrupted by a group of migrant workers who came a long way to ask questions of the candidates about issues related to how they are treated by the Canadian government. Unfortunately, the line of questioners was longer than time allowed and so they were unable to be heard. Finley ran out the side door as one of their leaders begged her to speak to them. No one from the McHale campaign or the Simcoe Reformer saw Dr. Eric taking any time to speak with them, either. Fortunately, two candidates did show some compassion:

“But their late appearance did manage to pay off. The migrant workers snuck in  some time with the candidates after the debate. Independent Gary McHale and NDP candidate Ian Nichols were seen discussing migrant workers concerns and offering to help them well into a half hour after the debate.”

Simcoe Reformer, Oct 09/08: Left out

Gary has extensive experience with the Income Tax Act and payroll deductions since he has designed accounting software that is still used by major corporations today. He made no promises, but offered to check on tax treaties to see if there was anything that might be of help. Gary made a key point with them – the politicians don’t care about them because they don’t vote.

Well…at least SOME politicians don’t care.

References

• Simcoe Reformer, Oct 10/08: Finley apologizes to distraught grandfather at Simcoe debate
• Simcoe Reformer, Oct 10/08: THE CANDIDATES
• Dunnville Chronicle, Oct 10/08: Independent MP versus Party members

Earlier in the day, Finley skipped out on a lunchtime debate at the Simcoe Rotary Club for a photo op in Caledonia with Canada’s Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty (3 missed debates in a row, if you’re counting), but she did decide to face voters in Caledonia last night.

Here’s how the media called it:

Canadian Press/CTV News:

The loudest cheers and applause were reserved for maverick Gary McHale, who is running as an independent and appears to enjoy solid support among some Caledonians fed up with the ongoing occupation.

“Nobody has been prepared to step forward and help you out but me,” said McHale, who has led protests against the occupation.

Echoing a sentiment commonly heard in Caledonia, McHale accused Finley of going missing in action.

“This election is about leadership, not the kind of leadership that shows up every four years and asks for your vote,” McHale said.

“I can guarantee you in six months you won’t see any of them.”

McHale, who has pressed for provincial police to end the occupation, was loudly applauded when he told the audience their Charter rights were being “systematically violated” by a federal government that had failed to defend their interests.

Finley, who is in a tough battle for re-election in the southern Ontario riding of Haldimand-Norfolk, was greeted by tepid applause interspersed with boos by the standing-room only crowd of about 200 people, who packed a local Legion hall to listen to their six candidates.

Canadian Press/CTV News, Oct 06/08: Rough ride for Finley during debate in Caledonia 

[NOTE: Gary has never pressed police to end the occupation of DCE since the province bought the land and a court ruled the McGuinty Liberal government could allow the occupiers to stay if it wished to do so. Thanks to McGuinty, the DCE occupation itself is NOT currently illegal despite the numerous criminal acts committed by those who occupy or have occupied it.]

Hamilton Spectator

It was clear from the outset the crowd was with independent candidate Gary McHale, who has decried the 2 1/2-year native occupation of a housing project and the way the OPP has treated natives and non-natives.

The crowd cheered when he was introduced and applauded his comments, while Finley faced boos when she was introduced and grumblings over some of her comments.

McHale suggested the issue be handed over to the courts. He also suggested a lien be placed on money Ottawa gives to Six Nations. “That would change this overnight,” he said.

Hamilton Spectator, Oct 07/08: Finley under attack over Caledonia

Simcoe Reformer

Local MP Diane Finley faced searing criticism from both fellow federal candidates and disgruntled residents at the Caledonia debate last night.

Hundreds of angered Caledonians showed up to the all-candidates’ debate at the Royal Canadian Legion. Or at least they tried to. Some debate goers were left to strain their ears in either one of several hallways or backrooms after the second-floor hall was filled way beyond capacity.

For two hours, Caledonians had a chance to hear local candidates promise, accuse and even fumble through a heated discussion of the ongoing Six Nations land claim. Residents posed a variety of questions — from how to overhaul the local economy in light of the conflict to how to ensure negotiations continue — to guarantee the issue remained on the front burner.

But Independent Gary McHale wasn’t a politician that needed to be reminded of the land claim.

“We have land claim issues every single week (in this country),” McHale said, adding that Six Nations residents are earning millions in delaying the process. “Why would anyone want to settle making that (kind of) money?”

“Look at Diane Finley,” McHale commanded the audience. “You’re not going to see her here for another four years! Have a good look at her.”

Simcoe Reformer, Oct 07/08: Finley under fire at Caledonia debate 

Hoskins reduced to silly, desperate attacks on McHale

The best defence the Liberal candidate Dr. Eric Hoskins could do was take a silly shot at Gary by implying he’d abandoned the people of Caledonia while he, Dr. Eric, had been there all along for them.

The man who, at the Cable 14 debate admitted he’d never read MPP Toby Barrett’s ‘Haldimand Proclamation for Peace, Order and Good Government‘ showed either how desperate he is or again, just how little he knows about Caledonia and Gary’s work supporting its people: 

“I’ve been on the ground,” Hoskins said. “I know that you haven’t been in Caledonia in the last eight months, Gary.”

Simcoe Reformer, Oct 07/08: Finley under fire at Caledonia debate

The crowd wasn’t buying it, but Gary explained the facts of life to Dr. Eric anyway: the OPP lapdog working for his Liberal buddy McGuinty was so desperate to silence him that they trumped up a charge to try to keep him out of Caledonia.

Since responses were limited to 2 minutes Gary didn’t have time to talk about the hundreds of hours he has spent during the last 10 months doing things like writing a groundbreaking report (Legalized MYTHS of Illegal Occupations); assisting with a CANACE presentation to Brantford Council, filing private prosecutions against native protesters to help get a Cayuga home builder back in business, and much, much more. If it weren’t for Gary and his CANACE team the builder would have lost everything. Now, people are moving into those homes.

Dr. Eric was nominated by the Liberal Party in April 2007 and, since then I/we haven’t seen or heard of him until the election was announced. We didn’t see him speaking out against the Ipperwash Inquiry coverup after Gary went to Queen’s Park on March 14/07 to release the Ipperwash Papers project. We didn’t see him at a single protest in Caledonia or Queen’s Park speaking out for residents. We didn’t see him at the smokeshack protest supporting Doug Fleming’s quest to rid Caledonia of those who sell contaminated cigarettes to the town’s children. We’ve never heard of him condemning race-based policing in public. Hoskins never shared a jail cell with Gary after being arrested for attempting to raise a Canadian flag.

Gary did mention some of the things he has done to help victims of race-based policing: Human Rights complaints, lawsuits, private prosecutions, OCCPS complaints, media attention, his website – CaledoniaWakeUpCall.com. Not only have we never heard of Dr. Eric helping Caledonians in any of these practical ways, but he actually criticized Gary for using the media to draw attention to the town’s agony:

“Finley has played hide and go seek, while McHale believes media and protests are a solution,” he explained. “A protest vote will guarantee four more years of Diane Finley.”

If Dr. Eric doesn’t understand that the media are one of the most important weapons against injustice and political ineptitude, then he needs to throw in the towel right now. The use of media as a tool of change is not the only thing he doesn’t grasp. As Gary said last night, neither Hoskins or Finley understand that the Caledonia issue isn’t about land claims, it’s about the lawlessness that has victimized innocent people for more than two years. If Hoskins can’t even admit or understand that race-based policing exists, how could he possibly work to stop it? 

Dr. Eric is a good man, a decent man, an exceptional man even, a great humanitarian who has won many prestigious awards for his good works, but it is clear his understanding of the Caledonia issue is shallow – at best – compared to the unbelievable depth of experience and knowledge possessed by Gary McHale who has paid a heavy price to acquire it. 

We would humbly suggest to Dr. Eric that if he actually wants to begin to understand Caledonia, perhaps he should visit the About Gary page and start reading some of the material at the other end of the links, such as the CANACE reports and the Ipperwash Papers project - for starters. At the top of that page is a painting by a Caledonia artist that pays tribute to some of the key people involved in fighting for justice in her town. Dr. Eric’s portrait is not among them.

References

• Hamilton Spectator, Oct 07/08: Finley under attack over Caledonia
• Canadian Press/CTV News, Oct 06/08: Rough ride for Finley during debate in Caledonia
• Simcoe Reformer, Oct 07/08: Finley under fire at Caledonia debate
• GaryMcHale.ca, Oct 06/08: Hamilton Spectator: McHale – winner; Hoskins – loser; Finley – chicken
• GaryMcHale.ca, Oct 04/08: Gary and Dr. Eric debate issues as Finley campaign self-destructs
• GaryMcHale.ca: About Gary

Simple or smooth — you choose: Spectator political columnist Andrew Dreschel took in six hours of local candidates’ debates and tells you who won and who lost 

HALDIMAND-NORFOLK

Winner: Gary McHale, Independent

Loser: Eric Hoskins, Liberal

With Conservative incumbent Diane Finley apparently chickening out, the stage was set for star Liberal candidate Eric Hoskins to shine.

But the well-spoken Rhodes Scholar and war zone humanitarian was upstaged by Gary McHale, the well-known Caledonia activist (or, if you prefer, rabble rouser) who is running as an Independent.

Hoskins undermined his own position by first identifying the native land claims as the most urgent issue facing the riding, but offered no solution other than a deadline for negotiations which would be tepidly followed by mediation in case of an impasse. Gee, that would be different.

By contrast, McHale promised to rattle cages and maintain a media spotlight on the issue until it was solved, threatening to be the worst nightmare for the OPP and provincial and federal powers that be.

While Hoskins responsibly offered more of the same, McHale dared frustrated voters to take a risky walk with him along the edge

The Hamilton Spectator, Andrew Dreschel, Oct 6/08: Simple or smooth – you choose

Latebreaking news in the Chicken department…

The Cable 14 debate wasn’t to be the last debate Finley skipped – we received word this morning that she was scheduled to appear for a Caledonia photo op at Industrial Drive at 12:00 noon with none other than Jim Flaherty, Canada’s Minister of Finance.

Nicole Lampa of CTV News was calling to ask if Gary would be in the area and available for an interview whereupon we informed her that Gary was on his way to an All-Candidates meeting sponsored by the Simcoe Rotary Club – a meeting for which candidates were asked to arrive at 11:45!

A Caledonia resident has advised us that the Conservatives have sent out an email saying the Prime Minister Harper will be at Mount Hope Airport tomorrow at 5pm.

It is sad that Diane Finley thinks that bringing in the ‘big guns’ one week before an election is going to compensate for her record of avoiding voters. It also proves that Marie Trainer was right on the money about just how effective Gary McHale was going to be in keeping Caledonia’s agony at the forefront of the election:

Brantford Expositor & Simcoe Reformer, Sept 04/08: McHale seeks H-N seat in federal election

Can there be any doubt whatsoever that it was Gary McHale and his growing campaign strength that forced the Prime Minister’s office to finally pay attention to Caledonia? Finley’s avoidance of voters in favour of cheap photo-opp stunts is an insult to the people of the riding, especially to the victims of race-based policing.

Where have they all been for the last 2.5 years while Gary was being jailed, slandered, beaten and financially ruined while speaking out for Caledonia?

Be sure to read Jeff Parkinson’s take on Finley’s shameless use of the Prime Minister’s coat tails: Desperate Finley brings Flaherty and Harper to Haldimand-Norfolk

References

• CWUC blog, Jeff Parkinson, Oct 06/08: Desperate Finley brings Flaherty & Harper to Haldimand-Norfolk
• GaryMcHale.ca, Oct 04/08: Gary and Dr. Eric debate issues as Finley campaign self-destructs
• Brantford Expositor/Simcoe Reformer, Sept 04/08: McHale seeks H-N seat in federal election

The McHale campaign very much appreciates Dr. Eric’s endorsement of Gary’s contributions to Caledonia, and we would agree that he IS too good for Ottawa – but they’ll just have to get used to him up there.

If Gary was good in Dunnville, you should have seen him tonight at the Cable 14/Hamilton Spectator televised debate! Dr. Eric came on strong in the beginning, but Gary nailed him on the Carbon Tax and especially, on Caledonia when he asked the doctor if there was race-based policing in Caledonia.  When he didn’t answer right away, Gary insisted, “Yes or no, is there race-based policing in Caledonia?” Then he pulled out Toby Barrett’s historic Haldimand Proclamation for Peace, Order and Good Government and asked if Dr. Eric would endorse it. Dr. Eric, unfortunately, highlighted his complete naivety of the Caledonia situation by saying he hadn’t read it! I gave a copy to one of his aides afterwards, so perhaps he’ll have time to read one of the most important documents ever written by a Canadian politician in recent memory before he meets Gary again at the Caledonia debate on Monday night.

I came away from the debate realizing that Eric may be a very accomplished man and a very nice guy who has done extraordinary humanitarian work overseas, and deserves every award he’s ever been given but he doesn’t have the first clue about what has been going on in Caledonia or any grasp of the sheer depth of our experience, research and advocacy. He’s just been parachuted in for some high profile photo-ops by a party that thinks it can just feed people a line about ‘owning’ the Caledonia issue without paying any kind of price to gain the depth of knowledge and understanding that Gary and others have paid to get to this point.

When the debate was over, one of the reporters present told us, ‘Gary can really hold his own!’ and ‘Gary’s got people in town coming around to his side.’ Very nice to hear. A recent letter apologizing to Gary and endorsing him at the same time that was written by long time Caledonia resident Gayle Hagan which was published in the Regional News has helped with that. We’ll have it up ASAP. Thank you so much for your wonderful letter, Gayle!

After we got home from the debate we started getting calls from excited Caledonians who wanted to pass on their congratulations to Gary. One was from a previously unknown resident who contacted us only today to demand ‘the biggest sign you’ve got.’ We put up 3 signs on the property before the debate. After the debate she called to say the neighbours had taken their signs and put them on their own lawns, and could she please have some more!!!

Of course everyone knows by now that Diane Finley cancelled out of the debate at the last minute. Rumour is that she’s not going to appear at the Rotary Club debate in Simcoe or in Caledonia. We shall see. Who could have predicted that her campaign would self-destruct in such a spectacular fashion? Our contacts in the federal PC Party are shocked that she would thumb her nose at voters by skipping the debates.

Gary has said that Caledonia will end when senior police officers and politicians lose their jobs for their role in allowing race-based policing to happen in the first place or for refusing to speak out against it. Perhaps, just perhaps, we are seeing a glimpse of things to come. Marie Trainer was absolutely right when she said Haldimand’s quest for peace, law and order, stability and justice will feature prominently in the coming campaign thanks to Gary.

To those who wonder if Gary can win this election: we have been receiving nothing but extremely positive feedback since day one, and even more as time passed. We truly believe that he does have a very, very good chance of winning especially now that the Finley campaign has crash landed. Gary didn’t begin this campaign to lose just as he has never given up on fighting for Caledonia during the past 2.5 years. In any event, he won’t give up the fight for justice there after Oct 14th – win or lose. Can any of the other candidates say the same?

P.S. If you missed tonights live debate, it will be re-broadcast on Cable 14 four more times. Check out the Events Calendar for airing dates.

See also: Diane Finley – NOT coming to a town near you.

• Dunnville Chronicle, Oct 03/08: Candidate meeting – video of candidates closing remarks (Gary is 2nd; be sure to watch Dr. Eric Hoskin’s remarks following Gary’s!)

Dr. Eric actually told the crowd that Gary was ‘too good’ to send to Ottawa! Naturally, while we appreciate the good doctor’s recognition of Gary’s credentials, his argument that people should vote for him instead of the man who has stood up against injustice in Haldimand for the past two years didn’t seem to make a lot of sense.

The next debate will be televised by Cable 14 from the Hamilton Spectator auditorium at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. For more details on this and other appearances by Gary, please see the Events Calendar.

For more than a decade she has done her best to give a voice to the people of Ipperwash, and to try to pass on the lessons the residents there learned about the terrible price of not enforcing the law during native protests. She is a founding member of CANACE (Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality) and played a critical role in making The Ipperwash Papers project possible.

Now, she is endorsing Gary McHale as the best choice to represent the people of Haldimand-Norfolk:

October 02, 2008

To Whom It May Concern,

We need Gary McHale in the House of Commons.

Having known him for a few years now, I am convinced of his dedication to the rights of all citizens in this Country and that he cannot be coerced or intimidated to sway from his devotion to the protections placed in the Constitution, the Charter of Rights, and the Laws enacted by Parliament and the Legislature. 

The Liberal Government of Canada under Jean Chretien was in power for sixteen years and did nothing for the average Canadian in native land claim disputes to uphold the rights of private citizens caught in these claims, claims in which they were allowed no input and did not have the authority or ability to bring to resolution.

A vote for Gary McHale is a vote for true integrity and accountability.

Mary-Lou LaPratte

For more information about Mary-Lou LaPratte please see:

• VoiceofCanada,  June 04/07: ‘The Strength of a Woman’ -Mary-Lou LaPratte, Ipperwash hero
• Western Standard magazine, July 02/07: Protection Racket: An Ontario judge glosses over illegal aboriginal acts at Ipperwash