Council Discusses Toll Booth

Plenty of discuss about Couchiching First Nation's toll booth last night at Fort Frances town council.

OPP Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick fielded a number of questions over the police's response to the Highway 11 toll.

Kendrick says ensuring public safety has been their main objective.

"There are many, many police officers around doing many, many different things in order to keep what has occurred over the past several day in the status it is currently is," says Kendrick. "That's to keep the highway open and no one to date being hurt."

But some members of council question whether motorists passing the toll should be paying the dollar charged by the band.

Councillor Sharon Tibbs says some motorists feel intimidated by the band's actions.

"You can talk about it being a personal decision that you make on your own," says Tibbs. "However what is happening here is an illegal action in progress and regardless of how we're going to carry on to try to get this resolved, the bottom line is people are feeling intimidated."

Kendrick says police could not advise motorists on whether to pay, noting it has been a conscience decision by each person who passes.

Couchiching First Nation says motorists could be fined for trespassing if they don't pay the toll.

In a news release, the band says its not impeding motorists who are unwilling to pay, but Chief and Council support the application of a section of the Indian Act that states a person found guilty of trespassing on reserve land can face a fine of up to $50.00.

The band says a majority of motorists crossing the toll have been courteous, but admit they have faced several others who have refused to pay.