For the last 2 weeks barricades have been up on a Public Road near Hollow Water First Nation, just outside Manigotagan. The Hollow Water community is protesting the fact that they were not consulted before the Province decided to subdivide and sell cottage lots on Lake Winnipeg near their community. Hollow Water may very well have a valid claim and certainly I would be the first to say that if there is a valid claim, then the Province should move quickly to resolve this issue.

The barricades erected by Hollow Water are constructed across a Public Road which prevents residents and cottage owners from freely coming and going to their properties. The Minister of Conservation has stated that the barricades are illegal, but that he is in no position to enforce the law. The RCMP believe that the barricades are illegal. According to Section 423 of the Criminal Code, it is illegal to block or obstruct a highway. In spite of the fact that the blockade is illegal, absolutely nothing has been done – the barricade remains and no charges have been laid. The Minister of Conservation refuses to negotiate with Hollow Water until the barricades are removed. Hollow Water will not remove the barricades until the Province negotiates. They are at a stand off and we don’t know when this issue will ever be resolved. The Minister needs to show leadership here, because the only losers are the cottage owners and residents who cannot access their homes and cottages.

Last week in Question Period I asked the Minister of Justice why he is not enforcing the law – he is the person ultimately responsible to enforce and to uphold the laws in Manitoba, and nothing has been done. Because the Justice Minister does not enforce the law, he is allowing those involved to rise above the Justice system. He is sending a message to Manitobans that the law is not applied fairly and equitably to all.