McHale and MPP Toby Barrett

Trials of an MPP$250 billion lawsuit and letters from Fantino and McHale among issues for Toby Barrett

Posted By KAREN BEST CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Haldimand Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett thought papers served to him for a $250 billion lawsuit were just a joke. When he scanned the documents, he discovered the Mohawk Nation of the Grand River served him on Aug. 20 as an individual. Barrett said he will have to look at it. According to documents presented to Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer, the Mohawk Nation was asking for $250 billion to pay a debt related to the Haldimand Tract granted to Mohawks and those of the Six Nations who wished to accompany them. The tract was granted to Six Nations to replace land lost in New York when they fought as allies with the British in the American War of Independence. The same document was served to Brantford council members including the mayor and Brant County council members plus Brant MPP Dave Levac and Brant MP Lloyd St. Amand. Also on Barrett's desk was a July letter sent by OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. As a MPP, he said he was not able to release correspondence. He also received a letter in February from Gary McHale and described both letters as attempted intimidation. "I was not intimidated by either letter," he said. Nonplused by this mail, Barrett pointed out that he has received letters like these for 13 years. If either one of those individuals want to make their letters public, people will be able to decide for themselves if the contents were intimidating, insulting or political blackmail, Barrett stated. He did reveal that the Fantino letter was also forwarded to every provincial commander, to the Ontario Police Association and to union members. In his response to the commissioner, the MPP uphold his opinion about the lack of policing in Haldimand County. Barrett also wrote to refute false information and to tell Fantino that it was inappropriate to write to an MPP about these issues. This week McHale criticized Barrett for failing to file a police services complaint about the commissioner's letter.

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