After the second straight meeting where Save Georgian Bay members pushed Meaford council to take a stand against TC Energy's Proposed Pumped Storage Facility, Meaford council has given some insight on where they stand with the project.
Over five SGB members spoke to council Monday night questioning what stance council takes on the potential facility.
Questions were asked of the council like how the facility will factor into economic development and if it is the council's mandate to take positions on impactful community issues.
After hearing the concerns and urgings of Save Georgian Bay members, Mayor Barb Clumpus reiterated that council does not have a unified stance on the matter at this time.
She then allowed other council members to voice their opinions on the matter.
Councillor Steve Bartley says that he has spoken to the MP and MPP of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and believes that other sectors of government will step in if TC Energy threatens the environment.
Bartley states his lack of position saying “I do not have a position because there is too much more to learn here and I'm trying to do it in a short time.”
Councillor Ross Kentner made a jab at DND saying they forget that the land on base was taken from local farmers, he states that concerns expressed to the Department of National Defence may fall on deaf ears.
“I spent my life in a regulated industry and I have to tell you the cards are stacked against us,” Kenter, who worked as a radio broadcaster for 56 years states. “We are not in a position, in my view to have any influence with DND.”
Kentner says he is disappointed that DND's concern is impact on training and suggests looking towards the Saugeen First Nation to band together.
Councillor Harley Greenfield feels that the best way to approach this project for those against it is to get the Prime Minister involved saying “he is the head of our armed forces if you're looking for help you might as well start right now and go to the top.”
Councillor Paul Vickers agrees with Greenfield but also believes that taking a harsh stance against this project could hamper potential relationships down the line if the project moves forward.
“To just jump up and down and say that we are opposed to it, that we want no part of it, I don't know if it's the wisest move as council or staff,” states Vickers.
Mayor Barb Clumpus did not divulge her stance on the matter but did state that the council is formulating questions based on a report given to them by the CAO.
In an email conversation with Tom Buck the head of Save Georgian Bay, he states “council’s most likely influence is to offer its opinion on the project to the DND during the DND comment period, to share concerns about TC Energy’s threat to the environment, the community, the operations of the DND and to communicate anxieties about the ownership and use of the property from the many families affected by the expropriation is the role council could be taking if they decide to lead the community.”
He says the council is hiding behind a lack of knowledge.
Buck and his group have consistently pointed to a Change.org petition as a show of concern around the project, which is now at over 20,000 signatures.
To note however, it is not specified how many of these signatures are Meaford residents or even Canadian citizens.
TC Energy has been criticised for their poor environmental track record by Save Georgian Bay over the past few months.
TC Energy has also been critical of groups spreading disinformation and an unwillingness to communicate.
Back in October 2019 SGB held their own information meeting around the proposed facility but did not allow TC Energy to speak during the meeting.
During TC open houses in recent weeks members of the community often yelled criticisms or called out facts for allegedly being false during presentations by TC Energy.
The atmosphere of distrust towards TC Energy by those opposed has made for an environment where fact and opinions are often intermingled beyond distinction.
Buck warns in his email, councillors who don't educate themselves will likely lose support as political leaders.
It is apparent that Save Georgian Bay will only accept council to take a stance that opposes this project.
Council is expecting a new report on TC Energy from the CAO by the beginning of March.