Dear Mr. Premier
On May 2, 2007 you joked about having to issue “blue helmets” to the OPP because of the growing pressure on the force to begin enforcing the law equally for natives and non-natives alike in connection with the Caledonia occupation of the Douglas Creek Estates:
“Some days I feel like issuing the OPP blue helmets. They are peacekeepers caught up in a difficult, protracted dispute which predates Confederation.”
As former members of the Canadian Forces who have actually served in United Nations peacekeeping missions, we would like to explain the difference between ‘peacekeeping’ and ‘law enforcement’ to you and Commissioner Fantino:
‘Law Enforcement’ is a role performed by police officers in a functioning, vibrant, healthy, First World democracy in order to preserve the Rule of Law and protect law-abiding citizens from criminals irrespective of their race, religion, national origin or grievance. It requires that citizens respect both the law and the willingness of police officers to enforce it justly.
‘Peacekeeping’ is a role performed mainly by soldiers trained to kill, and is used as a deterrent to prevent warring factions from killing one another and/or innocent civilians during civil war in failed states where the Rule of Law has broken down, or in the aftermath of international warfare to prevent further hostilities.
Your statement further implies that the Rule of Law and the rights of law-abiding citizens are to be suspended whenever or wherever natives utter the words, ‘land claim.’
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