‘Think twice’
Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington fire department ‘comfortable’ with proposed battery energy storage facility, Dec. 28.
More thought needs to go into the Belwood battery facility. Why Centre Wellington? Why not Dufferin County? The lines from Bruce come through Dufferin to Mississauga, Toronto and Centre Wellington. Is Centre Wellington an easier place to get a project passed by council and the fire department?
With all due respect to Mr. Benn, I don’t think he is an engineer. Small volunteer fire departments don’t have the same expertise as a large full-time American fire department. Who says it takes four times the amount of water to put out a car battery fire?
This is not a car battery, but much larger. Why would you want to bring a project into Centre Wellington if people have to live in fear of having to shelter in place or evacuate? Where are you going to truck water in from in the winter?
Is the property going to have a water tower? A foam generator on site? Are the batteries going to be in cement vaults or in old sea containers?
What is the containment of the property in the event of an incident and the protection of the ground water? Do we have any feedback from Centre Wellington engineering? What happens if the project does not pan out or becomes insolvent? Who is responsible for the clean up?
This company had two fires in 2023 that we know of. These companies will tell you anything to get a foot in the door. Think twice about this one, people!
J. Alexander,
Fergus
‘Deeply concerning’
Dear Editor:
RE: Not sustainable, Jan. 4.
I am responding to a prior correspondence, aiming to counter my critique of CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre and Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong’s recent foreign affairs missteps.
While acknowledging Poilievre’s alleged support for the Ukraine free trade agreement, the preceding reader highlighted the CPC’s disapproval of carbon pricing language in the act. However, if Poilievre indeed backs Ukraine, why did he vote against Canadian forces training Ukraine’s army under Project Unifier?
Moreover, as Ukraine embraced carbon pricing in 2020 to align with EU membership requirements, it raises questions why Poilievre, instructing his party to vote against aiding Ukraine during a Russian invasion, opposes a policy already in place by another country?
You mentioned that the carbon tax contradicts Conservative principles. Interestingly, carbon pricing originated from Milton Friedman, the pioneer of modern Conservatism. It appears that the Overton window of Conservatism has shifted right, overshadowing traditional values such as robust foreign affairs and prudent fiscal policies.
One can rationalize Poilievre, Chong and the current Conservatives citing “cost savings,” but Canadians perceive the CPC as abandoning Ukraine. They cannot claim credit for old Progressive Conservative party policies that were pro-Ukraine, as that entity ceased to exist with the 2002 merger.
When examining historical parallels, one can observe that Hitler’s aggression in the 1930s resulted in extensive invasions, reminiscent of Putin’s moves in Chechnya (1999), Georgia (2008), Crimea (2014), and Ukraine (2022). Should we fail to wholeheartedly support Ukraine today, there’s a risk of deploying our own troops within a decade, mirroring past interventions. The consequential costs would increase tenfold, and Canadians will regret not backing Ukraine’s struggle before it arrives at our doorstep.
Also alarming is Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis sponsoring a petition to withdraw Canada from the United Nations – a regressive policy inconsistent with traditional conservative values. True conservatives would disapprove of Canada forsaking global allies to merely “own the libs.”
The trajectory of the Conservative Party of Canada is deeply concerning. Turning our back on allies is an unacceptable path. It is imperative that we arm Ukraine extensively immediately, preventing the ominous scenario of deploying our own forces to the frontlines later.
John Mifsud,
Fergus
Likes women’s hockey
Dear Editor:
The most joyous thing I’ve seen this year and hopefully for many years to come, is the Professional Women’s Hockey League games, where the women are playing hockey at a very high level and having so much fun doing it. Much more fun than the “leave no prisoners” attitude of the NHL.
When was the last time you saw two hockey players crashing into the boards and coming up smiling and laughing with each other, one from each team? I wish the league many years of success.
Thank you, ladies!
Gregg Derrett.
Guelph
‘Act like it matters’
Dear Editor:
Kudos to the Town of Erin council for initiating green development standards to make its new housing subdivisions more sustainable and resilient to climate change.
It will soon be confirmed that 2023 was by far the warmest year on Earth since modern records have been kept, resulting in increased storms, floods, wildfires, heat waves and droughts. In 2022, the estimated cost to our planet from climate change impacts is estimated at $280 billion, according to a September 2023 study published in Nature Communications.
The 2023 Production Gap Report, conducted by five leading research organizations worldwide, indicates that by 2030, a mere six years away, the world will be producing twice as much fossil fuel as would be consistent with staying under the Paris Agreement’s 1.5ºC degree warming target. When this happens, Canada’s most climate-impacted year in history, 2023, will become the baseline for what is to come.
The science is clear: fossil fuel-induced climate change can no longer be denied; we are now living it. Yet all levels of government are failing to act with the urgency and commitment required to save us from the worst impacts of global heating. One example would be Wellington County’s insufficient target of a six percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
This dire situation presents an opportunity for small communities like Erin to act with insight and courage and ban fossil gas in favour of heat pumps in all new subdivisions.
Although regulations and mandates are not looked upon favourably by many, we only need to look back a few years to recognize the benefits. Seatbelts save approximately 1,000 lives a year in Canada, and yet they were not widely adopted until mandated by law. The same applies to infant car seats; perception and acceptance were changed by mandates, to the benefit of all.
In a new subdivision home, the difference in cost to the homeowner between installing a gas furnace and air conditioner or installing an emissions-free heat pump, which also acts as an air conditioner, is less than upgrading their countertops. However the cost savings to both homeowner and planet continue for years.
We must act from the bottom up to make sure we are all doing our part. I hope the Town of Erin has the courage to act like it matters.
Sue Braiden,
Erin
Beauty ‘enhanced’
Dear Editor:
I wish to congratulate the Elora downtown businesses for the fabulous lights we have enjoyed over the holiday season. Kudos to the Gladiators company for highlighting the architectural features of our historic buildings.
I will be sad to see the lights gone, especially as we enter the drab part of the winter. Yes, the costs of electricity must be considered. However, we are a tourist destination and the idea of strolling through this fairyland on a warm summer’s evening is very appealing, for guests and locals alike.
Maybe lights could go on just on weekends or special events like Riverfest, to retain their special status. The beauty of our town has been enhanced by this program!
Kelly Janzen,
Elora
Loved photo
Dear Editor:
Duncan Hossack’s photo of the polar bear swim (page one, Jan. 4) should nab national and international awards. It’s amazing!
David Courtney,
Belwood