NEWS RELEASE
September 19, 2010
Toronto Region Conservation Authority Supports Moratorium on
Wind Turbines on Lake Ontario
Scarborough: City of Toronto Councillor Paul Ainslie was successful in
having the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) support his motion
for a moratorium of construction of wind turbines on Lake Ontario, during
their Board of Director’s meeting.
The TRCA’s Board debated an item on their agenda which dealt with the
Province of Ontario’s proposed 5 km setback for wind turbines on Lake
Ontario from residential dwellings. Councillor Ainslie, put forward a
motion for a full moratorium. His motion was supported.
“Today, was a great show of democracy in action. I am proud of my fellow
Board members who were able to understand the government cannot force
projects on communities.” Councillor Ainslie comment that, “Residents all
along the Toronto waterfront community have been working with me to
enforce a moratorium, today we got one from the TRCA.”
Many community residents spoke at the meeting and were thrilled when the
motion was approved.
-30-
Supported by Toronto Wind Action
September 12, 2010
Dear Ward 43 Residents,
One of the most significant challenges for the last two years has been for the communities which line the North Shore of Lake Ontario, and certainly for Guildwood, which has become the beachhead for a “proposal” for Industrial Wind Turbines. This turbine proposal has been a learning curve for many of us, and some of the community groups, (GVCA-- Guildwood Village Community Association, Toronto Wind Action, Save the Toronto Bluffs, and Save the Bluffs), have provided great leadership in providing information to our communities. I want to thank you for this.
I also want to reaffirm with each one of you my vision for the North shore: it does not include mammoth disruptive, uneconomical, turbines. Many of you will know that I provided two motions to the Executive Committee of the City, and Scarborough Council, which were designed to deflect this proposal, and indeed called for a complete moratorium. The wordings for these were sent to me by Toronto Wind Action as a template from another community action, and I did not hesitate to act. These two motions are a testament to our communities’ ability to stand firm despite a City government which has over-ridden the will of the people.
I have much to offer in this fight for lower hydro bills, maintaining our ability to compete in manufacturing (indeed ALL businesses depend on reliable and stable hydro pricing), preservation of our fragile shorelines, our migratory routes, our human and animal populations which are so intertwined in this Carolinian Forest band which we as Torontonians enjoy.
My experience in working with provincial Cabinet Ministers and the relationships I have forged are invaluable in this fight to not allow unnecessary and costly industrialization of our fresh water and indeed, our City and province.
I know this issue is very important to you, and I want to assure you it is also on the top of my radar going forward. We will NOT have turbines in the Great Lakes, not in Scarborough, and we must continue our vigilance for turbine development in the province as many communities are already suffering and people have had to leave their homes. A moratorium which ensures the safety of all Ontarians first, and preserves the environment first, is in line with our mutual visions. I humbly ask for your support to me to continue working with you and supporting our mutual interests.
Thank you for your patience, endurance, and your anticipated support in my campaign to continue serving you as your City of Toronto Councillor. I welcome the opportunity to talk to you all personally in the coming weeks!
Yours sincerely,
Paul Ainslie
Supported by Toronto Wind Action
NO OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS BY AUGUST 24, 2010
Telephone: Environmental Registry inquiry line at 416-325-7893. Posting no. 011-0089 Renewable Energy
Approval Requirement For Offshore Wind Facilities. This line allows you to leave your comments.
E-mail & Log onto http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/
Web-site: insert the posting no. 011-0089 to view the Policy Proposal. To submit a comment via email/online,
click the submit button found under the comment section.
The Ministry of Natural Resources announced the Province decided on a 5 kilometre setback for offshore wind turbines. As the lake bed at the Scarborough Bluffs drops off after 4 kilometres this would mean the proposed wind turbines off of the Scarborough Bluffs would not be viable. This setback should eliminate any projects close to shore, including the proposed project off the Scarborough Bluffs. No projects in Ontario can go forward until the regulations are finalized.
Since the project was proposed, I have had continuous dialogue on this issue with the Province, City Council and Toronto Hydro, stating the Scarborough Bluffs is not the proper location for wind turbines and that “no go” zones need to be implemented. I will not be supporting the proposal as it is not financially viable. In addition to economics, health, natural landscapes- specifically those with sensitive eco-systems, and sites with historical value such as the Scarborough Bluffs, would be inappropriate locations for wind turbines. Finally, as I do not want to miss any opportunities to represent you, I have and will continue to openly speak to the Province and Toronto Hydro to immediately shut all aspects of this project down.
On June 4, 2010, I met with Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (Scarborough Centre) and Hon. Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion (Scarborough - Guildwood). At this meeting I again outlined concerns and stressed that the Province needs to be vigilant to protect the residents, listen, and ensure questions are answered. I stressed leaving loopholes in their regulations would not be a measure which I would be supportive of nor will I be supportive of a setback which would allow wind turbines off the Scarborough Bluffs.
Community input is a measure which I have been fighting for since the Province introduced the Green Energy Act. In February 2009, I moved a motion seconded by Councillor Karen Stintz requesting that the City of Toronto seek from the Province a provision in the Act which would allow for community focused stakeholder groups to provide input from a community prospective. Mayor Miller was not supportive of the motion and with his Executive Committee quashed the motion.
Please exercise your opportunity to comment on the Province’s Requirements for Offshore Wind Facilities.
Your, Councillor Paul Ainslie
City of Toronto , Scarborough East Ward 43
Guildwood Community Benefits from Councillor Ainslie’s negotiations with the Province.
New regulations should eliminate any wind turbine projects close to shore such as the one proposed for the Scarborough Bluffs.
June 25, 2010 (Toronto City Hall) – In keeping negotiations on-going with the Province of Ontario Councillor Paul Ainslie has successfully represented the community of Scarborough East. Today the Ministry of Environment announced the Province has decided on a 5 kilometer setback for offshore wind farms. This means the proposed wind farm off of the Scarborough Bluffs is not viable.
On June 4, 2010, Councillor Ainslie met with Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (Scarborough Centre) and Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion (Scarborough - Guildwood). At this meeting he again outlined the many concerns of his residents. Councillor Ainslie stressed that the Province needed to be vigilant to protect the residents, listen and answer their concerns. The Province today has shown they are listening. The Province says they are trying to balance the concerns of residents and the provinces need for sustainable energy.
Councillor Ainslie advised “I have been speaking to the Province and City Council since Toronto Hydro announced their project, stressing the Scarborough Bluffs is not the proper location for a wind turbine farm. I have been demanding standards and site specific regulations, protection for local residents, natural landscapes, especially those with sensitive eco-systems, and also historical value such as the Scarborough Bluffs”.
Councillor Ainslie will continue to press the Province to define "no-go zones". He believes certain areas need protection from any present or future proposals, specifically those with environmental, historical, and aesthetic value. “I would be happier with a complete moratorium and will continue to push for one” confirmed Councillor Ainslie. He went further and said "Regardless of whether this project is halted my community will continue to advance green energy alternatives to wind turbines"
The Province has advised the 5 kilometre setback should eliminate any projects that are close to shore, including the project off the Scarborough Bluffs. No projects in Ontario can go forward until the regulations are finalized. "This is a true victory for our community. I will continue to speak to the Province and participate in the public consultations. I have kept an open dialogue throughout this process and will continue to do so. Toronto Hydro should immediately shut all aspects of this project down" outlined Councillor Ainslie.
The proposal is posted on the Environmental Registry for public comment for 60 days. The comment period will end on August 24, 2010. http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/news/index.php . Province's environmental registry http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ (Registry number 011-0089). Public and industry consultation sessions will also be held starting in the fall. Dates and locations will be available soon at www.ontario.ca http://www.ontario.ca/ .
