Another local municipality could soon be moving to block wind farms by claiming the Green Energy Act violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger says he will bring a motion before Council to consider a bylaw similar to those enacted in Arran Elderslie and Chatsworth.
Freiburger says those bylaws are a way to send a message to Queen’s Park that councils want control of their municipalities given back.
His comments came at a packed council meeting last night where about 50 people crowded the chambers to hear three different deputations on wind turbines.
Saugeen Shores resident Bill Palmer spoke first to say that basic rights to life, liberty, and security of person are indeed being deprived.
He says people are suffering health impacts from wind turbines being set up too close to their homes, while the setbacks are also inadequate at protecting people from physical safety hazards posed by such things as ice from the turbine blades or even parts of the blades themselves.
Resident John Mann was up next and he interprets the Green Energy Act differently, believing it actually gives municipalities power rather than taking it away.
Mann says Section 2 states that the Act “shall be administered in a manner that promotes community consultation”.
He says in his reading that means the Act gives a municipality and its citizens control over any green energy project coming into their local community.
Barbara Ashbee from the Orangeville area also came to the Saugeen Shores council meeting to make a deputation.
Ashbee says she has personally suffered health problems and has been forced out of her home by wind turbines.
Ashbee says she’s tried everything to get officials to stand up and take notice of what’s happening, but the provincial government doesn’t care so municipal government is her last hope now to get protection for people.
Freiburger adds he will try to get his motion on the agenda as soon as possible.