Ontario government has bad policies 

In early 2010 the McGuinty government signed a $7-billion energy deal with Samsung Energy Corporation of South Korea.

Around the same time the Ministry of the Environment appointed Dr. Siva Sivoththaman of Waterloo University to do research on renewable energy technologies and potential health effects from wind turbines.

Dr. Sivoththaman coined the phrase “scientific evidence available to date does not demonstrate a direct cause effect between wind turbine noise and any adverse health effects on people living near wind tur-bines.”

Opponents of wind energy want a doctor for the independent health study, not a professor of engineering.

A report released on May 20, 2010 by the same minister of health– Dr. Arlene King– used the same coined phrase by Dr. Sivoththaman.

Dr. King also stated that the Ontario wind turbine setback of 550 metres is consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) nighttime noise guideline of 40 decibels for the protection of human health.

In my opinion, the WHO rec-o mmends a buffer zone of 2,000m and the French Academy of Medicine suggests no less than 1,500m due to health concerns.

On March 19 The Sun Times read “Turbines part of health study.” Funding is being provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment which allocated $5 million over five years. Dr. Sivoththaman along with Dr. Cunningham of Queen’s University and Dr. Suresh Narine of Trent University, will spearhead the government sanctioned study into the safety of renewable energy and its health effects. Dr. Hazel Lynn, Grey Bruce medical officer of health welcomed the news. It was her recommendation that this kind of research be done by a university or research institute which is non-biased and they have the expertise to do it. In my opinion, Dr. Sivoththaman is the same doctor appointed back in Feb. 22, 2010 by the Liberal government.

On Sept 17, 2010 a letter from the Minister of Energy Brad Duguid to Ontario Power Authority chief executive officer Colin Anderson giving details on how Samsung will provide 2,500 megawatts of wind and solar power, including manufacturing plants for power components. Duguid directed Hydro One to hold in reserve 500 megawatts of 1500 transmission capacity to be made available for the Bruce area, in anticipation of the completion of the Bruce-Milton transmission reinforcement grid. Another 500 megawatts has been set aside for Haldimand County, Essex and Chatham-Kent areas.

Mike Sapiro, president of H.A.L. T (Huron Kinloss Against Lakeshore Turbines) said “the Samsung deal has angered trading partners in Japan and the United States.

The “Samsung deal is guaranteed, so they are looking to buy out other companies with leases.

Six Nations chief Bill Montour said “the business models did not connect. Sign this deal and trust us.” This agreement was intended to be part of the $7 billion contract between Ontario and Samsung. The deal was called off, now the company is headed towards Crown Land with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Newly elected chief Scott Lee (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation of Cape Croker) and chief Randall Kahgee (Saugeen Ojibway Nation) have jointly studied and ruled out wind energy as a potential source of economic development. In a news release, the McGuinty government is to follow through on its commitment to resource benefits sharing with the aboriginal communities by setting aside $30 million. This agenda includes the Green Energy Act and the Mining Act. I applaud the First Nation, Inuit, Metis peoples for not trading money for the health of their communities.

It is obvious that the McGuinty government has grossly incompetent policies – the health tax, E-Health, carbon tax, Smart Meters, HST, Green Energy Act and exorbitant hydro bills and in the past three years a $52 billion debt.

The health study will be short lived and renewable energy projects will flood this beautiful province.

I don’t trust this government, even after the approval of the health study. It has approved two more Fit-in Tariff lists for renewable energy projects – instead of putting a moratorium on all energy projects.

Joseph Leung
Annan