Scott Reid Endorses Ban on Loyalist Twp windfarms

Ottawa –The Senate Wednesday unanimously called for a moratorium on any new wind turbines on Amherst Island until the threat to congregating, migrating or breeding birds and migrating bats is investigated.

The motion was put forward by Conservative Senator Bob Runciman who is the former Member of Provincial Parliament for Leeds-Grenville and passed unanimously on November 30th in the Senate.

Environment Canada describes Ostrander Point as one of the best areas for birds in southern Ontario, Runciman said. “It’s surprising that someone believes it is a good idea to put wind turbines on this spot. Hard as it is to believe, the landlord, the owner of the property, is the province of Ontario.”

Wind energy projects on the shores of the Great Lakes have met stiff opposition from the property owners who live nearby. The developers of these projects are not required to compensate nearby landowners for the drop in value that wind farms will cause.

Scott Reid, who also believes more work needs to be done before any projects should be considered was quick to add his voice to those calling for a moratorium.

“I think that it’s fair to say that if something the government does will take value away from your assets, you should demand compensation,” Scott Reid said. “That’s why I’ve put forward an amendment to change the constitution to protect property rights – something which currently has no constitutional guarantee.”

“I do not support the idea of the province of Ontario building wind turbine projects in our area, or anywhere for that matter, unless the folks nearby can be guaranteed compensation for the loss in land value that will necessarily occur.”

The following motion was unanimously adopted by the Senate on November 30, 2011: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the province of Ontario should institute a moratorium on the approval of wind energy projects on islands and onshore areas within three kilometres of the shoreline in the Upper St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario region, from the western tip of Prince Edward County to the eastern edge of Wolfe Island, until the significant threat to congregating, migrating or breeding birds and migrating bats is investigated thoroughly and restrictions imposed to protect internationally recognized important bird areas from such developments.

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For further information contact:

Phil Joannou
Communications Assistant to Scott Reid, MP
613-947-2277

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