Ford calls for talks in Caledonia occupation, condemns violence

Premier Doug Ford is calling for Indigenous demonstrators occupying a housing development in Caledonia, Ont., to engage in peaceful talks with his government.

Ford made the appeal after a judge ordered them to permanently leave a construction site at the centre of an Indigenous land dispute this week.

Hours after the ruling Thursday, provincial police say cruisers near the McKenzie Meadows site were approached by protesters and were heavily damaged. 

No injuries were reported and police said an investigation was underway.

Ford described the demonstrators as a few “bad apples” and condemned any violence targeting police officers.

A spokesman for the demonstrators could not immediately be reached for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 23, 2020.

The Canadian Press