From: <dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca>
To: <undisclosed-recipients:>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:01 PM
Subject: An e-mail from the Premier of Ontario
Thanks for your online message regarding the Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP)
and the Tyendinaga Mohawk community. Your concerns are important to me,
and
I appreciate your taking the time to share them.
While the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has
general
authority over the delivery of police services in Ontario, the
day-to-day
operations of the OPP, including enforcement activities, fall under the
area
of responsibility of the OPP Commissioner. Therefore, I hope you can
appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me, as Premier, to
personally
comment or intervene in operational policing matters.
I would like to add, however, that our government recognizes the
importance
of establishing strong and positive relationships with First Nations.
That
is why we have created a new stand-alone ministry dedicated to
supporting
Ontario's Aboriginal communities. We are also implementing the
recommendations of the Ipperwash Inquiry report, have signed an almost
$3-billion gaming revenue-sharing agreement with First Nations - $200
million of which has already reached our Aboriginal communities - and
are
providing additional investments in Aboriginal health and wellness.
You may know that the Government of Ontario is not involved in this
particular land claim issue. As matters relating to treaty claims are a
federal responsibility, you may wish to share your views with the
Honourable
Chuck Strahl, federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development
and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. The minister
can
be contacted at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Ottawa, K1A 0H4 or
by
e-mail at www.ainc-inac.gc.ca.
Thanks again for contacting me.
Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
