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Protesters march against proposed wind turbine |
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 Protesters gathered outside of CAW Centre and site of proposed wind turbine in Port Elgin
.... protesters coming ... and going |
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More than 200 people marched in protest on Saturday (Dec. 4) against the proposed wind turbine to be constructed within the town settlement area of Port Elgin, Saugeen Shores at the Canadian Auto Workers' (CAW) Family Education Centre. The CAW purportedly received provincial approval for the turbine prior to the Green Energy Act revised set-back regulation of 550 meters so that it (CAW) was a 'grandfathered' installation. Many people in the community of Saugeen Shores have been very vocal about their disagreement with the turbine installation. While many of those who marched in protest are part of the movement against wind turbines, for others it was a first-time experience. A retired bank manager and his wife, who now live in Saugeen Shores, marched in the protest and when asked why replied, "This is our first ever protest of anything," he said, "but this is wrong and we felt we had to do this."
Crowd of protesters gathered ....
... with many placards demonstrating their opinions
Work appears to be continuing According to Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith, "This is an issue that has touched the nerve of the entire community." Saugeen Shores Town Council has advocated for control of local issues to be returned to local municipalities, including the location of wind turbines which was removed from communities with the Green Energy Act (GEA). Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau, whose home is located near the proposed wind turbine, said that his home will "... definitely be affected by 'light flicker' from the turbine. We aren't sure what the ramifications, or health issues if any will be, but it is certainly another indication that municipalities are losing control over local decision making."
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Protesters march against proposed wind turbine in Port Elgin
MP Ben Lobb and MPP Lisa Thompson Among the protesters were Conservatives politicians MP Ben Lobb and MPP Lisa Thompson. Lobb said that, although the CAW had been a "... good community neighbour ... it had taken a wrong turn This facility was built some 20 years or more ago and it is time for upgrades. If energy is an issue, it should look at improving things like insulation and alternative energy sources such as solar. This could be a LEEDS (green) facility that would be a leader in the province." From a provincial standpoint, MPP Lisa Thompson stressed that the Liberal government had "... lost touch with rural Ontario. We need to get back the voice of rural Ontario." According to one resident who marched in protest, "... the CAW could easily have placated the community by simply agreeing to sit down and discuss the matter but they didn't do that. They more or less 'thumbed their collective nose' at the town and said 'too bad if you don't like it, we're building it anyway." Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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