Towns should fight against province imposing itself

Some 2,500 years ago, fable author Aesop opined that, “Persuasion is often more effectual than force.” It is an idea the current provincial government has decided holds no place, at least when it comes to matters it feels are important.

The list of areas where the government has chosen to exert the force of law over the persuasion of education is becoming legion, including but not limited to smoking, cellphone usage and, most importantly, wind power.

Ontario Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman reinforced the position Monday.

“We passed a law, and the law does not create an opportunity for municipalities to resist these projects just because they may have a concern,” he said.

On the surface, Smitherman’s comment makes sense; after all we can’t have people just running around breaking laws they don’t agree with. Otherwise you will start having black people riding in the front of buses, women voting and native people asking for land back that our forefathers stole from them.
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Resistance to wind farms not an option: George Smitherman

Ontario could become a North American environmental leader, but municipalities can’t stand in the way of wind power.

That was the message Tuesday (June 2) from Ontario Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman as he toured a hydroelectric plant here.

Smitherman, also Ontario’s deputy premier, praised Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. for its operation of the eight-megawatt plant.

“We are very, very proud that a lot of the investment that is occurring is taking place in the private sector,” Smitherman said. “We have many more opportunities here to create energy from what Mother Nature gives us from the wind and the sun and the water.”
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Wind farm helps end coal use: Smitherman

The Enbridge wind turbine project near Underwood is a step toward eliminating coal-fired electricity generation, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman said Friday at the project’s official opening.

It also provides economic stimulus for farmers, increases the tax base and provides employment, he said.

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Ontario’s Proposed Green Energy Act

Posted by Ian:

In the preamble to the McGuinty government’s push “to boost renewable energy, economic growth and create a culture of conservation,” George Smitherman,Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure notes:

“There exists today a global race to establish the policies, attract the investment and build the foundation for the green economy that is sure to sustain future prosperity and progress. It is a race Ontario is determined to win. This proposed legislation would help Ontario become the preferred destination for green jobs, green investment and green energy.”

You’ll excuse me for taking a wait-and-see attitude, since residents in this part of Ontario remember Smitherman’s snarky attitude as he attempted to slyly shutter the palliative care unit at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital and his pathetic shot across the bow of opponents to such a move, people he labelled as fear-mongers.

In any event, here is the background to this bold new green plan.
Green Energy Act