Orillia:  Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is upset with what he terms “intimidation tactics” against protestors of Site 41.

  “Good rural people like 82 year old Keith Wood and his 76 year old wife Ina, are being charged with public mischief because of intimidation tactics by Simcoe County,” Dunlop said. “No one faults the police for doing their job but you have to wonder where is the logic in charging elderly residents; one in frail health and the other who has been sitting in a chair, knitting and offering baking to peaceful protestors ?” asked Dunlop.

The Woods, both from Tiny Township were the first of eight protestors charged yesterday (Thursday) in connection with the blockade at Dump Site 41.

Dunlop, a former Simcoe County Warden, said “I am perplexed by the way Simcoe County Council appears to be taking a back seat as this controversy escalates. You’ve got people out making decisions without the approval of County Council. They don’t have the approval to take out injunctions and legal action against our citizens. When I was on council we would have a meeting – we didn’t let someone make these decisions for us,”

Dunlop also noted that equal blame goes to the Province and Premier Dalton McGuinty for a clear lack of understanding of rural Ontario and the passion of  rural families and how they care for  something as basic as clean water. He also criticized the Provincial Government for failing to discharge its duty to protect the environment. “Politicians should listen to the people they represent,”  Dunlop added, “and the people we represent are saying to us that they don’t want a landfill being put on top of the cleanest aquifer in the world.”

The county has been granted a temporary injunction against the protest, which was handed out July 22. The court will consider a permanent injunction Aug.13.

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For more information contact:
Garfield Dunlop, MPP
705-327-4500 (cell)