JUDGE CALLING AG ON CARPET OVER CALEDONIA “EXTRAORDINARY”– RUNCIMAN

(QUEEN’S PARK) – Justice David Marshall’s decision to order Ontario’s Attorney General to appear before him to explain his failure to enforce the law in Caledonia is an extraordinary event, according to former Solicitor General Bob Runciman, MPP Leeds-Grenville.

Marshall’s order also requires the Commissioner of the OPP and others, along with the Attorney General, to explain why they haven’t enforced his order to end a native occupation in the Caledonia area and lift barricades on nearby tracks.

“This is the first time in memory that an Attorney General has been called on the carpet by a Superior Court Justice to explain why he is not discharging his constitutional responsibilities,” said Runciman.

During today’s Question Period, The PC critic’s efforts to secure a response to the Judge’s order from McGuinty Ministers was stonewalled.

“They have no answer for what appears to be a government unwilling or incapable to enforce the law,” charged Runciman. “They are sending out a terrible message that the rule of law is not and will not be applied equally under this government.”

“Unlike MPP’s, Justice Marshall has the power to compel answers and hopefully he will do just that on Thursday,” concluded Runciman.