In the News
Below is a sampling of some of the more recent media I have done on behalf of Scarborough residents. Please note – only publications with online additions are included here, and as such live television, live radio and print only publications are not available for reproduction on this page.
Print Media
“John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, insists no independent studies have been completed.” - National Post: Windmills get support from executive committee, despite resident concerns – April 19 2010
John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario and a challenger in the city election for Ainslie’s council seat in Ward 43, Scarborough East, said that nowhere in the world are there so many turbines so close (2 to 3 kilometres offshore) to a populated shoreline. Nobody really knows the turbines’ effect on human health, on fish habitat or on shore erosion, he said. “We need this council to act. You own this problem. You can stop Toronto Hydro,” which is owned by the city, he said. - Toronto Star : Wind Farm Opponents Blocked Again - April 19 2010
“There is nowhere in the world that you can build turbines so close to shore,” said John LaForet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario. “There are real risks here to human health and there are real risks to the health of the lake,” added LaForet, a council candidate for Ward 43. LaForet and other anti-wind proponents were speaking in support of a motion at executive committee calling for a moratorium on wind development across the province, put forward by Scarborough area councillors Paul Ainslie — the incumbent in Ward 43 — and Brian Ashton. - Toronto Sun: Wind Turbine Plan Blows in Controversy - April 19 2010
The wind turbine issue is making Mr. Ainslie political enemies in his own ward: It’s the reason John LaForet is gunning for Mr. Ainslie’s council seat in October. “I’d fight like hell to kill the project,” he says. - Globe and Mail: Scarborough Bluffs residents determined to fight wind turbine project. - April 16 2010
“It doesn’t make sense to build any industrial machinery where we get our drinking water,” says John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario and Ward 43 council candidate. “You have to draw the line and say that our health and our drinking water are too important.” So many people opposed to the turbines, that he doesn’t see them being built by the time of the 2015 Pan Am Games, Laforet said. Toronto Observer: Windmill Project Has Some Locals Spinning Mad – April 8 2010
“It’s a display of vandalism,” said John Laforet, a candidate for Toronto city councillor in Ward 43. “Over 40 signs for [Toronto Wind Action] have gone missing,” Toronto Observer: Stolen Signs Cause a Disturbance in Guildwood – March 25 2010
“Laforet, who has long argued that vista-blighting turbines make no economic or environmental sense, says Smitherman’s “abusive” words “really play to the ‘Furious George’ (nickname) and we’re going to be reminding people that he’s not the warm and fuzzy sheep he’s trying to look like these days. .. He would be chased out of south Scarborough.” - Toronto Star: Smitherman’s Words Come Home to Roost - March 24 2010
“Mr. Laforet said that the Toronto Wind Action group has not had any luck in convincing the city, the province and Toronto Hydro that a wind farm would harm the community. “We’ve been very aggressively fighting the city on it,” he said. “But we have no idea who would actually go to this length to coordinate taking down signs going street by street overnight.” National Post: Wind Farm Opponents’ Signs Disappear – March 19 2010
John Laforet, President of Wind Concerns Ontario, told the Independent “it was no study, it was a literature review.” “If it wasn’t so serious, it would be laughable,” he said. Laforet noted the interpretation for who constituted an expert was very broad, and researchers didn’t talk to a single person who expressed health concerns. New Hamburg Independent: Report cites no human health effects from wind turbines – December 23 2009
“John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, said there are more than 100 people in Ontario alone who have complained about adverse effects from wind turbines. The most common complaint is sleep disruption. Critics dismiss the study as worthless, industry-financed spin.” - CBC: Wind Turbines: How close are you willing to live to turbines to benefit/green your community? – December 19 2009
But John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, called that “weasel words”. “If someone’s health is adversely effected, it doesn’t have to be a disease … These things have a devastating impact on people if they’re built too close to homes,” he said. He said there are more than 100 people in Ontario alone who’ve complained about adverse effects from wind turbines. The most common complaint is sleep disruption, which Laforet said can “have serious impacts on your overall health … everything from cognitive ability to your ability to function”. Canadian Press: Wind turbines pose no health threat: industry-sponsored study – December 16 2009 (Syndicated by Metro News, CBC, CTV, and over a dozen regional papers throughout Canada)
While the installation of the anemometer is being done to test for the viability of wind energy in the area to see if it’s worth pursuing a wind farm, Laforet believes Toronto Hydro is set on a wind farm project regardless of the data the anemometer provides. “I don’t think anything is going to change,” he (Laforet) said. - Wind research platform approved – Scarborough Mirror – October 23 2009
The group’s president, John Laforet, said it’s unfortunate that Hanna has had to resort to taking the government to court to get their attention. “We should not be at point where we need the legal system to protect our health, it should be the job of the government,” he said. Ont. farmer launches court battle against wind farm plans, cites health concerns – Canadian Press – October 19th 2009
“These regulations are woefully inadequate,” said John LaForet, president of the group. “They don’t address any of the concerns that the thousands of residents across Ontario have been bringing forward for over a year now.”
Liberals add ‘Buy Ontario’ to green plan – National Post – September 25th 2009
They predict the new rules and ongoing resistance to citizen input is going to lead to a bitter political fight that will intensify during the next provincial election.”Through completely ignoring the legitimate claims of people, the government is ratcheting it up,” Laforet said. “You wouldn’t be getting into a war if the government was taking people seriously.”
Windy Controversy – London Free Press – September 3rd 2009
“Canada has some of the weakest regulations pertaining to wind energy developments in the world. With no minimum setbacks for offshore projects, Canada ignores the lessons learned in Europe. Demark, the United Kingdom, and Germany have shoreline setback requirements of 10, 15 and 40 km respectively.”
Should We Rely on More Wind Energy? – Costco Connection – September/October 2009 (Page 14)
“We are here to send a warning. The premier is here to get his members revved up for the 2011 election and we’re here to tell him that we’re revved up too,” said John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, a coalition of grassroots organizations from across the province.”
Scarborough Mirror – Wind turbine protesters stake out Liberal barbecue – August 13th 2009
“I found him (John Laforet) to be a well meaning liberal without an overly partisan attitude.”
Western Standard: Ontario PC Leadership Race: John Laforet comments on Liberal tactics at the convention – June 27 2009
“If you’re sneaking something in here,” says Laforet, himself a former candidate for city council at the ripe old age of 20, “we figure it can’t be good.”
Toronto Life: A Mighty Wind – May 2009
“A lot of Guildwood residents are frustrated at the lack of information Toronto Hydro is providing,” Laforet said. “We’re in a position to share legitimate information with those who have questions.”
Scarborough Mirror: Wind power information meeting slated – March 23 2009
“Some Guildwood residents like John Laforet, an activist with the Save the Toronto Bluffs group, say they are displeased with the act. Laforet called it “one of the most undemocratic pieces of legislature (sic) in the past decades.”
Toronto Observer: Green energy bill angers Guildwood residents – March 5 2009
“Toronto-area blogger John Laforet notes that even members of McGuinty’s caucus are acknowledging this fundamental change. Laforet quotes MPP Laurel Broten, no less, the assistant to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and the former environment minister. Broten told the Ontario Legislature: “Most significantly, green energy projects would no longer be subject to the requirements under the Planning Act or, in most cases, the Environmental Assessment Act.”
Chatham This Week: It’s David versus the Jolly Green Goliath – March 4 2009
“It’s a completely undemocratic piece of legislation,” Laforet said. “Anything that shuts down public participation needs to be fought vigorously.”
Toronto Sun: Generating controversy – February 16 2009
Bluffs residents have warned McGuinty they’re ready for a fight. “Residents won’t lay down,” said local activist John Laforet.
Toronto Star: Turbine complaints ‘absurd’ February 12 2009
“Nous ne laisserons pas les lois nous priver de notre droit d’expression. (We will not let the laws deprive us of our right of expression.)” — John Laforet
Radio Canada: Des citoyens laissés dans le doute – February 12 2009
“If it’s such a great idea, why not do an environmental assessment and prove there are no health risks?” said an angry Laforet. “Why do we need to be bludgeoned by legislation if the facts are on their (the government’s) side?”
Toronto Star: McGuinty vows to stop wind-farm NIMBYs February 11th 2009
“Neighbourhood resident John Laforet believes the delay has less to do with budget constraints than it has to do with geographic discrimination…”
Globe and Mail: Locals worry art studio fire will hold back area revitalization December 31st 2008
“Liberal blogger John Laforet argues that Dion showed real leadership by supporting May.”
National Post: Green is in: The blogosphere reacts to May’s entry into the election debate – September 10th 2008
Radio
Wind Concerns Ontario President John Laforet calls the study seriously flawed as the researchers never even talked to people who claim the turbines have harmed their health. In addition he says the researchers based their conclusion on studies that supported the wind industry and it wasn’t even peer reviewed. Laforet says they want a comprehensive study on the health impact of wind turbines involving real people with real problems, so responsible regulations can be put in place dealing with these farms. 98 the Beach: Wind Concerns Oppose Study – December 19 2009
But ciritics say the province is pushing a plan that will result in thousands of turbines without evaluating their impact on local communities and residents. “A big concern with how it is being rolled out.” John Laforet is President of Wind Concerns Ontario, a group organized to fight what it calls industrial wind power. Laforet says the government plan is going too far too fast. “I think it’s going to lead us to a situation where families are forced to leave their homes because turbines have been put in too close” John Laforet The World: Ontario’s green energy plan prompts back wind – December 11 2009 (airs on 270 radio stations across the United States)
“(Laforet) says the cost of an extra few metres from a residential area is nothing compared to the cost of concerned citizens losing their democratic rights. LaForet says he can’t see any reason why a wind turbine development should be treated any differently than any other kind of development across the province.”
Wind Regulations Opposed – Owen Sound Radio – September 24th 2009
“LaForet says it’s incredible how wind farm developers can bypass any municipality when setting up a farm, as per the Ontario Green Energy Act.”
Wind Farms Bad for Health – Radio Owen Sound – August 28th 2009
98 The Beach – Sounding Board – August 27th 2009
Living at the Barricades – Exploring the Green Energy Act – May 12th 2009
CKNX AM 920 Radio Call In – Green Energy At – February 18th 2009
Video
“As far as working with the government is concerned, we’ve tried that for a year. They have ignored our concerns. They are now putting us into a situation where it is a legal, political and PR fight, and it is not one they are equipped to win.” – John Laforet
Focus Ontario Interview on New Green Energy Act Regulations - September 26th 2009
“They(turbines) weigh as much as six subway cars, they(turbines) are as tall as the Royal York. They(Toronto Hydro) want to install sixty in the lake without a single environmental assessment, to confirm no impact on water quality, aquatic life, shoreline erosion or human health. That to us is simply irresponsible. – John Laforet”
CityTV News - Scarborough Residents Protest Proposed Wind Turbines – August 11th 2009
