NIAGARA WEST-GLANBROOK MPP HUDAK AND MP ALLISON CALL FOR WIND TURBINE MORATORIUM DURING HEALTH CANADA STUDY

BEAMSVILLE – On Monday, Ontario PC Leader and Niagara West – Glanbrook MPP Tim Hudak once again called for an immediate moratorium on continued industrial wind turbine development. This time, Hudak was joined by Niagara West – Glanbrook MP Dean Allison who has also joined the call for a moratorium.

Hudak and Allison issued the call as Health Canada prepares to study 2, 000 dwellings across Canada in close proximity to large-scale wind farms. The joint Health Canada-Statistics Canada research study will explore the effect of wind turbine noise on the health of people living near these developments.

“West Niagara residents have continued to express to me very strong concerns about the potential health effects of these massive industrial wind turbine projects that are slated for their communities,” said Hudak. “Beyond the possible effects on health, the Liberal government’s entire FIT program is nothing more than an expensive mess. It’s driven up our energy bills and stripped away local decision making. That’s why the Ontario PC Caucus and I have introduced motions and legislation to put in place a moratorium on these projects, restore local decision making and end the FIT program.”

Despite the Health Canada study and numerous attempts by the Ontario PC Caucus to halt further construction, the Liberal government continues to blanket the province with large scale industrial wind turbine developments, like the 230 MW project planned for West Niagara. The West Niagara project would see 80-100 turbines at a height of 55 stories across rural Niagara. Since 2009, over 900 wind turbines have shot up in rural Ontario, with approval given for another 2, 000 despite the vocal opposition of local residents and municipal councils.

“I have discussed the concerns of Niagara West – Glanbrook residents several times over the last months with the Minister of Health and as a direct result this new study by Health Canada will show the possible health effects of low frequency noise generated by wind turbines,” said Allison. “As always, our government is putting the health and safety of Canadians first and this study will do just that by painting a more complete picture of the potential health impacts of wind turbine noise.”

In calling for a moratorium, Hudak and Allison join a growing list of elected officials in Ontario who are concerned by the unchecked pace of industrial wind turbine development in their communities. The call for a moratorium follows up on ongoing efforts at Queen’s Park by Hudak and the Ontario PC Caucus to halt further wind turbine development, including:

  • PC MPP John Yakabuski’s motion proposing a moratorium
  • PC MPP Todd Smith’s Bill 10 – designed to restore local planning authority to municipal councils;
  • PC MPP Lisa Thompson’s motion proposing a moratorium on turbine construction until further health and environmental studies are completed;
  • Hudak’s Bill 42 – calling for an end to the Feed in Tariff Program.

“Dalton McGuinty’s failed green energy policies are driving up the cost of energy and are preventing our local economies from achieving their full potential,” Hudak said. “I’m pleased to see the Federal government step forward and conduct the proper health studies, something Dalton McGuinty should have done years ago.”