Poilievre, MacLeod call for a moratorium on North Gower industrial wind turbines
Calling for Premier McGuinty to put project on hold until Health Canada Study completed
North Gower, ON – In a residential area that sits next to an open farmer’s field, Pierre Poilievre, MP for Nepean-Carleton, Lisa MacLeod, MPP for Nepean-Carleton, and Jane Wilson, President of Wind Concerns Ontario joined together to call for a moratorium on the wind farm project proposed for the village of North Gower. This call follows an announcement from the Federal Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, that Health Canada, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, will be conducting a research study to determine the relationship between noise pollution from industrial wind turbines (IWTs) and the possible health implications for those living nearby.
“This research study will provide us with the information we need to keep our fellow citizens safe from harm,” said Poilievre. “Due to increasing reports of health problems, a lack of consensus on this issue, and the need for properly designed clinical research, I am calling for a moratorium on the Marlborough Wind Farm project in North Gower until conclusive evidence from Health Canada can definitively show that there are no adverse health risks associated with living in close proximity to industrial wind turbines.” Poilievre added that he has written an open letter to Premier McGuinty outlining his concerns and hopes that the Premier will act upon his request.
“By forcing industrial wind turbine developments on rural communities, the McGuinty Liberals have stripped away local decision making, driven up hydro costs, lowered private property values, and ignored possible health and environmental impacts,” added MacLeod. “I’m continuing my calls for a moratorium to be placed on further wind developments and I am pleased the federal government has announced a study to determine health effects”
Jane Wilson, resident of North Gower and President of Wind Concerns Ontario, said, “It is unacceptable for the Ontario government to continue to approve projects when government staff refuse to acknowledge the problem, are not able to measure the noise, and cannot ensure compliance with their own regulations, which are clearly inadequate.”
The Marlborough Wind Farm, initiated in 2008 by Prowind Canada, proposes 10 IWTs in close proximity to the village of North Gower. With a population of over 2,000 people, the majority of the village is within three kilometers from one or more IWT. What is even more concerning is that, according to a map outlining the proposed industrial wind turbine locations, there are more than 30 families living within 800 meters. There is currently no start date for construction of these IWTs; Prowind is currently waiting for approval from the Ontario government before proceeding with the project.
The Health Canada study is slated to be complete in 2014.
“Poilievre, MacLeod, Wilson & residents of North Gower unite to call for a moratorium on the Marlborough Wind Farm project proposed for the village.”
Click here to see Pierre Poilievre’s EMC Column submission on this matter.
Click here to read Mr. Poilievre’s letter to the Premier of Ontario, Mr. McGuinty on this matter.