Tory MP hopes for quick end to native bridge blockade
A Conservative MP is calling for authorities to bring a quick end to a bridge blockade in eastern Ontario that was set up Sunday by native protesters.
The blockade was in response to the weeklong standoff between the federal government and Akwesasne Mohawks that has resulted in the shutdown of a Canada-U.S. border crossing.
A group of Mohawks from Tyendinaga, a native community about 185 kilometres east of Toronto, occupied the bridge around 7 p.m. local time Sunday, vowing to stay there until they felt the government has engaged “in meaningful dialogue” with the leadership of the Mohawks in Akwesasne.
The Canada Border Services Agency shut down the Port of Cornwall border post on the Akwesasne reserve, which sits about 100 kilometres west of Montreal, on May 31, after the community said it would not allow the arming of border guards planned for June 1.
Prince Edward-Hastings Conservative MP Daryl Kramp said the blockade by Tyendinaga Mohawks of the Skyway Bridge, which spans the Bay of Quinte in eastern Ontario, is “illegal” and needs to be dealt with. Kramp said his constituency office has received calls from residents who believe a “double standard set of laws” was allowing the bridge blockade to continue.
“There is a difference between having a border-control issue at Akwesasne, versus a bridge in our county which has nothing to do with this. I am, quite frankly, disappointed that it’s still continuing,” said Kramp. “In this case, I really think the law should be respected and upheld.
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mike Says:
What would happen if a large group of people set up blockades preventing first nations people from leaving their reserves? I’m sure they would be accorded the same patience and lack of action by the authorities and courts that the first nation blockaders are.
mid island mike
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Soccermom Says:
They feel our laws don’t apply to them; watch this drag on forever. At the first sign of something being done, Liberals and NDP will cry “racist”, thereby guaranteeing more of the same.
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
beentheredonethat Says:
I don’t hestitate at all to very strongly suggest that the vast majority of the residents of this ‘reserve’ are law abiding Canadians just like the most of the rest of us in this country. They are being held hostage by a gang of violence prone criminal thugs protecting their criminal enterprizes (people, tobacco, drugs and firearms smuggling) by hiding behind the banner of ‘aboriginal rights’.
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Jack Says:
It’s finally summer BTDT. What would it be like without native blockades?
That would be like trees without leaves, no birds and bees.
Beavers not doing their thing.
It would all be greatly missed.
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
mike Says:
They obviously have nothing constructive to do, they don’t have to work as all their needs are met by the taxpayer. They do it cause they can and they know there will be no significant consequence to their actions. The same principle that Iran & NKorea are operating under.
mid island mike
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Philanthropist Says:
Where are the police?
Posted on June 10th, 2009 at 6:17 am