Have Your Say: The primary concern and focus of the Haldimand Police Services Board

To the Editors,

The primary concern and focus of the Haldimand Police Services Board is to ensure the safety of the Caledonia community. Part of our mandate is to hold our policing services accountable for the equitable, unbiased application of the law. Under no circumstances is the Board racially motivated in how they want the police service (OPP) to enforce the law in Haldimand County.

It is the position of the Board that the actions taken by the individuals on August 5, 2020 meet the definition of terrorism as outlined in the Canadian Criminal Code.

This report was not a racial commentary or editorialization made by the Board. It was simply a statement made upon reviewing the definition of terrorism in the Criminal Code and comparing the illegal actions of the people involved when the court order requiring them to leave the construction site was given. Those who refused to comply with the order were arrested for being in violation of that court order. The end result was intimidation, assault, destruction of infrastructure, and interruption to local commerce, the rail lines, and roads for a two-week period.