The Army in Brantford

As part of the application for an injunction against Native protests that have ground development to a virtual halt in Brantford, a request was made for the Canadian Army to be put on standby in case of rioting. After reading much of this application, I'm not totally clear who the Council is expecting to riot; the Natives in reaction to arrests that would result if the injunction is not obeyed or Brantford residents fed up with this constant harassment that is costing lost jobs and much frustration. So far the Native protests have been mostly peaceful, although there have been many implied threats of violence by the protesters and in Native posts on various websites and in letters to The Expositor. There has been no evidence that city residents, though fed up with these protests, are about to engage in violent acts.

Either way if rioting and occupation does occur, it will certainly not help the situation regarding the loss of development in Brantford. In fact, I think that many people will consider leaving the community. The Expositor will not have to debate what rank Brantford deserves in the most dangerous city in Canada category. We will be number one for sure.

Although the situation as it stands in regards to halted development is intolerable and the Natives are doing little to help their cause and just creating worsening relations with their neighbours, the Council would be ill advised to push ahead with this action if violence requiring the Canadian Army to get involved is the end result.