Liberals Vote Against Health Study

QUEEN’S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature the McGuinty Liberals voted against a resolution that would have postponed new wind turbine projects until the health impacts for people living close to the projects are determined.  

“We owe it to Ontarians – especially the people who would live near the turbines to ensure that we have done the proper research to ensure there are no health risks before any more turbines are built,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford.

The resolution, which was introduced by Bill Murdoch, MPP for Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound, read as follows:
That, in the opinion of the House, the Province of Ontario must impose a moratorium on all new wind turbine projects until such time as Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Ministry of the Environment have stated that wind turbines do not have any adverse health effects on people who live near them.

The resolution was defeated with all Liberal MPPs who were in the house voting against it.

“I want make it clear that I support green energy. Being involved in Agriculture I know the important relationship that we have with our land and how much we depend on it,” said Hardeman. “This resolution is not against – or for – wind turbines. It is simply saying that we can’t proceed without doing the proper scientific research to ensure that the health of Ontarians is protected.”

Hardeman questioned how the government established setback regulations that require turbines to be located 550 metres from homes if they have not done the proper scientific health studies.

“If we don’t determine the health impacts and establish proper, scientifically determined setbacks – what do we do if we find out that 550 metres is too close?” asked Hardeman.

 

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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(519) 537-5222