Ministries neglecting welfare of children living near wind turbines 

Dear Honourable Ministers and Premier;

My name is Marianne Kidd and I am the Co-Chair of a community group called the Mothers Against Wind Turbines. We are a grass roots organization of parents, grandparents and mothers who have a focus on protecting all children from the harmful effects of Industrial Wind Turbines. We have started up in the Haldimand, West Lincoln and Wainfleet area; however, quickly our group has been able to reach out and make connections with concerned citizens all across the Province and the World.

The purpose of this open letter is specifically related to concerns arising from a recent letter we were copied on by Ms. Bonnie Tuson to your Ministries Dated December 5, 2013 regarding Wind Turbines at less than 550m. First, I would like to commend Ms. Tuson for her persistent pursuit of answers from your government related to the question of health for children whose parents agree to place wind turbines on their properties at less than the 550m setback.

It is truly sad that she has had to “chase” down answers from various Ministries who continued to “pass the buck” from one department to the next. This specific concern should be of most concern to the Ministry of Health, since it was this Ministry that had the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Dr. Arlene King, produce a report in 2010 stating that:

“Provincial setbacks were established to protect Ontarians from potential health and safety hazards of wind turbines including noise and structural hazards.” [1]

The quote from the CMOH report clearly demonstrates that anything less than 550m is not protective of health and safety hazards of wind turbines. At the same time, the letter sent by Ms Agatha Garcia-Wright (MOE) to Ms. Tuson regarding children living at “participating receptor homes”, states that:

“While noise receptors on such land do not trigger the minimum setback distances in O.Reg.359/09, the MOE recommends that both participating land owners and wind energy developers consider potential noise impacts when entering into agreements to site turbines.” [2]

All Ministries should be gravely concerned about the welfare of children in Ontario who are living/will be living within 550m of a wind turbine. It would appear that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment, through the Green Energy Act – O.Reg.359/09, are actually causing child abuse and neglect to these children, along with the parent Host Farmers.

Children of host farmers also need to be protected from Industrial Wind Turbines. Host farmers and the wind developers who are “recommended by the MOE” to consider potential noise impacts, receive money and are putting that above their children’s’ health and safety.

“We all share a responsibility to protect children from harm. This includes situations where children are abused or neglected in their own homes. Ontario’s Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) provides for protection for these children.” [3]

In fairness to those parents, and as you are well aware, the opportunistic wind developers would not bepointing out any kind of issue with positioning of the turbines at less than the 550m setback.

In July 2011, an ERT decision for an IWT project in Ontario confirmed IWTs can harm humans:

“This case has successfully shown that the debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence presented to the Tribunal demonstrates that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree.” [4, p. 207]

People in this province need to know that the health of these children can be negotiated between two parties for the almighty dollar and that our government condones it.

• How are you going to protect the children living within 550m of a wind turbine?
• When will you actually do something to address the legitimate issues brought up by Ontarians to your Ministries regarding Industrial Wind Turbines in Rural Ontario?

I look forward to your response,

Sincerely,
Marianne Kidd
Co-Chair
Mothers Against Wind Turbines
mothersagainstturbines/gmail.com

TO:
Kathleen Wynne, Premier
James J Bradley, Minister of the Environment
Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy
Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs
Deborah Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Teresa Piruzza, Minister of Children and Youth Services

References

1) King, Arlene Dr. Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Report. (20100 Retrieved from: www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/reports/wind_turbine/wind_turbine.pdf (page 8)

2) Garcia-Wright, Agatha. Letter to Ms. Bonnie Tuson – November 27, 2013, ENV1283MC-2013-3324

3) Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: It’s Your Duty. Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Retrieved from: www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/childrensaid/reportingabuse/abuseandneglect/abuseandneglect.aspx (paragraph 2)

4) Environmental Review Tribunal, Case Nos.: 10-121/10-122 Erickson v. Director, Ministry of the Environment, Dated this 18th day of July, 2011 by Jerry V. DeMarco, Panel Chair and Paul Muldoon, Vice Chair, www.ert.gov.on.ca/english/decisions/index.htm