Threats made online in response to toll booth protest

The OPP reports that there have been more than 700 threats of violence online against the Couchiching First Nation after members of that community set up a toll booth on Highway 11 Friday.

Attendees at the booth have been charging each passenger vehicle a dollar, while commercial trucks were being charged $10. Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson said the community wants compensation for land lost when the highway was built.

He added that he wants the federal government to clean up soil contaminated by former sawmills in the area.

The chief said the booth will stay in place until the community is compensated for losses. Meantime, Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl phoned McPherson Friday to say he hoped to start discussions soon.

OPP officers were on site Friday to make sure the demonstration remained peaceful. OPP officials say that so far there have not been any serious problems between community members and motorists.