Winds of change stimulate grass-roots democracy 

Lake Superior Action Research Conservation (LSARC.ca) hosted John Laforet the President of Wind Concerns Ontario for a holiday weekend agenda of events to raise awareness of the importance of the October 6 Provincial election to the health, economy, and environment of Ontario and Algoma.

Friday evening (Sept. 2) the gathering of concerned citizens, which filled the Searchmont Community Centre meeting room with some rather intense discussion of the many threats that industrial wind developments pose for Ontario, had a chance to directly challenge the NDP and PC candidates for Algoma Manitoulin and Sault Ste Marie ridings.

Responding to concerns about more industrial wind turbine penetration into the minimally impacted and intact ecosystems of Algoma voiced by Bob Moore, local ornithology buff and all round devotee of Lake Superior, PC Algoma Manitoulin candidate Joe Chapman said, “Over my dead body!” He wanted to make it very clear where he stood and had left himself as he said adamantly, “No wiggle room there!”.

The group had the opportunity to hear what motivated PC Sault Ste. Marie candidate Jib Turner to toss his hat into the ring almost as he did so, his official declaration was made that evening.

In his role as municipal councillor for Manitoulin he felt personally and profoundly the anti-democratic nature of the Green Energy Act. We look forward to hearing more from this astute businessman and experienced representative of Algoma public interest.

The Cristophers, who had battled health issues in order to attend, had Mike Mantha, NDP candidate for Algoma Manitoulin, on the ropes about his stated willingness to “listen to his constituents and represent their wishes.”

Even without the prevalence of Liberal propaganda and wind lobbyist sales pitches to confound the system, “How exactly ,” they asked, “would he go about listening to all his constituents?”

The current atmosphere of greed and repression will not be quickly remediated by one person, however well-intentioned, belatedly listening.

John Laforet intervened to save the candidate from further hard questions and Celia Ross, Sault Ste Marie NDP candidate, escaped more rancourous sparring, after her suggestion that people wait for the NDP platform to be elaborated.

It is unlikely many would have been mollified by the party line which promises to maintain the FIT program, and bring 10,700 MW renewable energy online by 2018 as well as institute Carbon Cap and Trade.

Saturday’s event on Havilland Bay culminated in a FLOAT-illa for a turbine-free Lake Superior.

Despite the threatening clouds the protest-paddlers enjoyed sharing the preternaturally calm waters with flocks of ducks who seemed to approve of the imaginative floats afloat.

Watch for the dedicated Wind Concerns Ontario supporters who attended the canvassing clinic on Havilland Shores Drive.

They will be circulating the Wind Concerns Province-wide petition.

In case you have been missed, request a canvasser contact you, action@lsarc.ca