Letter to Treasury Board May 22, 2006

Greetings:

Further to my first note I write to propose that a contract be let to advise the Commission on the impact of the Business relationship between the Toronto Islands, the Toronto Port Authority, Toronto Economic Development Agency (TEDCO), City Parks Department, The Province of Ontario, all the Yacht Clubs on the Islands, the Mississauga Land Claim, and other interested parties.

This contract should report on the Business dealings that impact the Toronto Port Authority and should advise back on a practical structure for all the Islands given their historical nature and the potential use in the future.  It should also opine on the value considered in the transaction between the Mississauga of the New Credit and the Federal Government on the Toronto Land Claim.   The Port Authority may be culpable if the values are not maximized.

This Report could be commissioned by the Waterfront Revitalization Corporation who should retain someone who has intimate knowledge with the above.

This Report should also consider the Future management of the Portlands as the City of Toronto does not have the capacity to manage the islands efficiently - caught between machinations of government and a debilitating labour contract for operations.  I am told that there are 18 supervisors that work for the Parks Department on the Island. 

While your Commission may not be concerned with the  inefficiencies of the Island Management, most of the problems have emanated from the originating structure - the lands never have been purchased from the First Nations peoples, and the manner in which these islands are being considered do not honour the People of Toronto - either past or present - and it was the Port Authority who is ultimately the responsible party.  

Our Trust holds the TPA responsible for any shortcomings to the People because of the actions of the TPA - not to be limited by our own damages, but rather damages to all of the people that are involved in the Islands.

I look forward to hearing back from the appropriate investigator.

Peace

Mitch Gold Hon. G.A
Organizer - First Nations Indigenous Trust
 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mitch Gold <poforpeace@gmail.com>
Date: 22-May-2006 12:53
Subject: First Nations Indigenous Trust and Toronto Port Authority
To: " Baird.J@parl.gc.ca"

Attentions to:The Hon. John BAIRD,    P.C., B.A.(Hons.)

re: Committee on  National Finance  and the Toronto Port Authority (TPA)

Greetings:

I write to bring to your attention a number of issues and overview of a situation that you have indicated that your good offices are investigating with regards to the Toronto Port Authority.

Let me first background who I represent.   I am the organizer of the First Nations Indigenous Trust that has as trustees First Nations Peoples from the North, the South, the East  and the West.  In total I can claim to represent 57 million Indigenous Peoples of the Americas even though such  claim is preposterous. I am a message carrier of the Elders.

The FNIT has engaged in communication with the Canadian Government to have certain claims recognized - to no avail.  Notwithstanding, we have engaged in communication with a number of organizations, and institutions and have been recognized at a number of Institutional levels - namely Toronto City, and the Ontario Municipal Board.

We have also been involved with the Toronto Port Authority over the years and have grave concerns with regards to their operations.  Their inability to respond to simple questions bespeaks of an organization running amok.

We have reported their activities to the RCMP and have forewarned the RCMP of certain transgressions that the TPA has engaged in.  The RCMP has investigated, has found wrong doing (as I am informed) and has not been able to find a legal framework under which to prosecute.   This is an astounding representation, and I trust you will be as shocked as I was to learn this.  I further trust that you will inquire as to the process that they have engaged in.

The particular transgressions of the TPA are currently being repeated and will have a huge cost to the Canadian taxpayer unless an injunction or some other pre-emptive action is not taken by your investigating commission.

I also want to make clear in this representation, that our purpose in bringing light to these issues is not to just embarrass or punish people for their wrong doings.  Rather our purpose is to bring a measure of sanity to the development of the Toronto Waterfront and to have honoured in a proper way the historical contribution of the First Nations Peoples to the Development of Toronto, and Canada.  We see the development of the Peace University of the United Nations, an Elders meeting place (sweat lodge and healing center for all the Americas) and a World Youth Center - all three world class institutions honouring the People and our heritage as Canadians.

We have a unique opportunity in this time of history where the Waterfront is up for Development, and is rushing (backwards) without an overall vision of the Waterfront and its place in World history. 

We are at the crossroads, and what we do is important.  We need to melt the ice in the heart of Man.  We need to use the wisdom accumulated to accomplish the tasks at hand.

To do less is an insult to your grandfathers and mine.

I request an opportunity and budget to formally present to your commission.

Peace

Mitch Gold

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