Friday, May 28, 2010

Toll Latest - Friday May 28

The provincial government is calling its meeting with Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson productive.

The chief was in Toronto to meet with officials from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs over a land claim issue impacting Highway 11 - one of the issues that has led to a toll booth being set up by the band since last Friday.

Details of the talks were not released, but in an e-mail to B-93, a Ministry spokesperson says they were productive and that their discussions with the First Nation would continue.

McPherson also met with officials from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs last night regarding the contamination of certain lands.

Days after one site closed, a new Facebook site has appeared for people to discuss the toll booth.

Jason Supinski set up the site called "Don't Pay the Toll at Couch."

He says he'll be able to better control people's comments.

"You can't write comments, but you can add your name to it and support it," says Supinski. "If you send me a comment and I feel it's appropriate I will post it. That was the problem the OPP had with the other site is with the racial comments and the hate. Other than that they have no problem with it."

Supinski shut the other site down because of concerns with some of the postings.

He admits with nearly 800 members it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.