Following your articles and I am surprised at your optimistic nature towards MOE. You should read Calvin Luther Martin’s “How to Fight the Big Wind Onslaught”. The appearance of listening, taking notes to give the appearance of action buys time for developments to move forward. Moving turbines further from homes does nothing to the unliveable property surrounding the turbines after they are built. Moving them further from homes does nothing for the wildlife displaced. Putting industrial wind turbines out on the waters does nothing to limit potential environmental impacts. Any cost (public finances and environmental degradation) is too high for the little or no gains (other than profits for a few). Discussions with the government will result in compromises. How close is too close, how many are too many… Good cop, bad cop. There are good people working in MOE and MNR who recognize the ridiculous direction the government wants to go with industrial wind development, but they will be bound by the policies, direction and planning process developed by those that have little understanding or interest in doing the right thing. Processes are developed with the intent that no one will say no unless there is a legal reason to do so and even then there will always be “mitigation” regardless whether or not mitigation, in reality, exists. The only nice thing someone in the government can do for us is to ensure a true cost benefit analysis is done by those who understand the limits of electricity produced by industrial wind. Reality is needed. We have no need for industrial wind developments.

Informed dialogue and decision-making between residents and government people IS possible, when both sides share access to relevant information, are treated with respect and agree to focus on facts, rather than name-calling. I’m glad you showed how Toronto Hydro completely mismanaged its so-called “consultation” process with the public on this issue in the past year.

The simple scientific fact is there’s not enough steady wind to generate enough power on a commercial basis anywhere along Toronto’s shoreline. It’s the “profiteers” of taxpayer-subsidized wind power installations who disagree with all the existing studies done by experienced and impartial consultants and/or government agencies.

The City of Toronto should be ashamed of how so many of its citizens have been so poorly treated by its officials at Hydro. It’s notable that we have a city that aims to be green, but it’s officials can’t manage to have residents’ garbage and recycling picked up (even after making major tax and fee increases on waste management).

Then there are the elected representatives of the Government of Ontario who have been following their own agendas, without listening to Ontarians. MPPs, especially George Smitherman and Margarett Best, are examples of politicians who care more for their own political futures, rather than our planet’s future. They need to have their priorities re-directed to careers where they can do the trusting public no lasting harm. That’s a task that we voters can make a reality at the next provincial election.
John Mason, Guildwood Resident