Excellent post Dennis,

People didn't feel they had an alternative with Tim Hudak so they held their noses and voted the Liberals back into power inspite of their screw ups and their leader. Now we are stuck with them for 4 years.

We can only hope that the conservatives choose a better leader and offer a better alternative the next time. For my money Vic Fidelli would be an excellent choice.

By the time the next election rolls around the Ontario economy will be so bad that Jim Flaretty will be rolling in his grave and Mike Harris will be considering a return to politics.

The Ontario gov't has done little for the RoF development except play politics. However what would any of us do if we were an MP and had to deal with the FN? One small example of the FN posturing is a statement by Stan Beardie saying in effect that the ore has been in the ground for many years and can stay there for many more (untill we get what we want.) Hardly an attitude that fosters communication.

The FN attitude is exemplified by the fact that they think nothing of defying the laws of the country (Caledonia) and we let them away with it......political correctness again.

So what incentive is there for any gov't MP or MPP to spend their scarce time trying to talk seriously with the FN? Unless we are prepared to throw boatloads of $$$ at the Native leaders (not their constituants who see little of gov't handouts) they will simply stonewall. Even when there is an agreement there is no guarantee that it will be enough.

(No) Wynne tries to point the finger at the feds and Harper saying that the feds have not provided funding for the RoF while they have committed $1B. Harpers response is a valid one....where is the plan for the RoF? They both know that dealing with the FN is a one way conversation so it is convenient to blame each other while stalling.

What polititian cares about anything north of Barrie? The votes are in the south. Actually the FN stonewalling plays directly into (no) Wynne's hands. The Liberals would prefer to spend scarce resources on southern ontario projects that have a better chance of buying them votes. This gives them a convenient excuse to ignore economic development opportunities in Northern Ontario. Now they can blame Harper and the FN.

Harper understands what is going on but the FN don't get it. They don't realise they are shooting themselves in the foot and are no closer to getting roads and electricity.

Can you imagine the chaos that would occur if we were actually building roads and transmission lines on "FN Lands"? Just as the FN block the trans Canada highway when they want their own way, we would see blockades at construction sights whenever there was another demand on the table. Caledonia was scandelous and taught the FN what they can get away with.

Don't hold your breath waiting for anything to change in the RoF.