Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott has come out strongly in favour of jousting with windmills – or at least the wind turbines being proposed across the province.
He wants to see such controversial wind farm projects placed on hold, pending completion of a study documenting their health effects.
“Before building massive new wind farms, we need to know they’re safe,” he said. “That’s the valid point my constituents are making.”
In a resolution he introduced March 25 in the Ontario legislature, Arnott called for completion of a comprehensive and credible study that would document the full health effects of wind turbines, before any new wind farm proposals could proceed.
“This is an important step, because it elevates the issue and it shows that we’re serious,” said Arnott. “It puts the issue squarely on the legislative agenda, so that the McGuinty government can’t just ignore it.”
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch introduced a similar motion last fall, but every Liberal present at the time voted to defeat it.
Still, given increasing interest and concern over the issue, Arnott believes the legislature needs to consider the issue again.
His initiative is largely based on a resolution adopted by municipalities across Ontario. The County of Wellington and the Township of Centre Wellington, among others, have passed the resolution originating in December with the Township of Mapleton.
“Our local councils deserve credit for taking a strong stand,” said Arnott.
Wind farm proposals now under consideration are linked directly to Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government and its Green Energy Act. Last year, Arnott spoke and voted against that legislation, which has restricted opportunities for public comment on wind farm proposals across the province.
More recently, on Feb. 24, Arnott spoke in the legislature on the proposed Belwood wind farm, passing along some of the concerns he has heard from area residents.
His resolution stated, “That, in the opinion of this house, the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of the Environment, should issue a moratorium on the approval of wind energy projects until a comprehensive and credible epidemiological health study has been completed by a qualified and independent third party, and released to the people of Ontario.”
