National Post: Windmills get support from executive committee, despite residents concerns
This piece by Natalie Alcoba of the National Post more clearly outlines just how badly this motion was flipped on it’s head by the Executive Committee. If Councillors Ainslie and Ashton had not put this issue in front of them in this way they would not have had the opportunity or cause to move a motion of support to ‘promote and nuture’ offshore wind turbines. Paul Ainslie, and Brian Ashton did vote with every member of the Executive Committee four months ago to support Toronto Hydro’s wind test and offshore wind turbines which is why this result can’t be that unexpected in hindsight. I am proud of residents who came out, stood up and spoke out, and pledge to help make sure the next Council resolves this issue favourably for our community. – John Laforet
Below is the text from the National Post:
Windmills get support from executive committee, despite residents concerns
Posted: April 19, 2010, 6:22 PM by Natalie Alcoba
A bid to ask the provincial government to halt any new wind farms failed to sway Toronto’s executive committee today, which instead pledged “to promote and nurture” off shore windmills.
Members of the executive listened to several hours of impassioned appeals both for and against wind turbines, which have raised the ire of several Scarborough Bluffs residents opposed to a project that could see dozens installed in Lake Ontario.
Toronto Hydro is studying whether there is enough wind to warrant placing turbines about two kilometres off shore.
Scarborough councillors Paul Ainslie and Brian Ashton asked the committee to urge the provincial government to place a moratorium on any new industrial wind turbine agreements “until a comprehensive, public, science-based study of the adverse health effects now being reported by Ontarians can be evaluated and their potential harmful effects fully understood.”
But some speakers said studies have drawn no conclusive connection between turbines and health issues.
John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, insists no independent studies have been completed. “There’s a lot of concerns about wind turbines, questions yet to be answered,” said Councillor Ainslie. His motion was referred to another committee, which effectively kills it.
Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, one of the loudest advocates of green energy production on council, said the fears people have “are simply wrong.” He quoted Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Arlene King, who said in October “there is no scientific evidence, to date, to demonstrate a causal association between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects.” The executive directors of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Toronto Environmental Alliance also spoke in favour of windmills, citing the costly health risks of coal-fired plants to generate electricity.
“I’m not afraid of windmills,” said Mr. De Baeremaeker. “I’m afraid of the amount of carbon that we’re spewing into the air, because all of us just need to turn on the TV to find out what’s happening as a result of climate change.”
Tags: Ainslie Motion, Executive Committee Wind Moratorium, John Laforet Candidate, John Laforet Ward 43, John Laforet Wind Concerns Ontario, Paul Ainslie Motion, Paul Ainslie Motion to Council, Toronto Hydro Anemometer
