Esther stood at the back of a room packed with 200 or so angry people tonight in a hall in Milton, just a few blocks from the constit office. Rallied by a local councilor, they were there largely to protest the building of a gas-fired regional power plant on the outskirts of town. Needed infrastructure, says the province. Monstrous toxin-spewing invader, say the residents.
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Every politician faces this. The issues are eternal. In Halton, growth is breakneck and in Milton the population is mushrooming at 500% the provincial average. But at the same time, people are flooding in because they want to live in a smaller, rural community which is anything other than evil Mississauga or godless Toronto. And all those people suck up a lot of power. So, the utility does its thing and tenders for a new plant. People hear about it. Pow.
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Because all politics is local, a regional power plant approved by the provincial utility on land zoned by the local council becomes a federal issue. But how can you blame citizens for mixing up jurisdictions? Canada has too damn much government, too many levels and too many politicians. In an instance like this, all angry people know is that two 150-metre smokestacks spewing lord-knows-what all day will suddenly be visible form the kitchen window.
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Esther came to the meeting tonight while I was stuck in Ottawa. In her arms were a few hundred copies of a bulletin I wrote this afternoon for those people, based on my interviews today with the CEO of the Ontario Power Authority and his guy in charge of new hydro generation. While not conclusive, the conversations revealed that the utility did not have a real grasp on the level of public anger. They also showed some willingness on the part of the power guys to think about alternative sites – although the approval process is well-advanced and several private developers are vying for the contract.
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Included in my report were some suggestions about how people can stop yelling at each other in meetings, and channel their comments directly to the people who need to hear them. And I took a few positions, namely that hydro plants with big stacks should not be built next to new subdivisions, and that any public consultation process needs to be longer, friendlier and a lot more honest than the one this community just got.
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Esther tells me folks were eager to get the report and – politically – it was the right thing to do. But the reality is, as an MP, I have zero control over whether that plant is built or not. I just wish to hell we had a federal green plan that, right now, regulated emission levels and set standards which were part of a long-term get-tough strategy for climate control.
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But we don’t. And that’s the only part of this story that nobody understands.
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17 comments ↓
I understand.
This is off topic but I figured you’d be interested in this excerpt from Paul Wells’ new book.
In fact, when Harper shows up in Manning’s autobiography, Think Big, it is often because Manning is complaining about what a flap-jawed gossip his young charge could be. Harper didn’t like Manning’s choice for national campaign director in 1993, Rick Anderson, and he “was prepared to air his objections in the media,” Manning writes. In 1994, Manning came under fire for alleged abuse of his expense account. Harper joined the chorus of critics. “Even though procedures existed for handling any complaints about the use of party funds,” Manning writes, “Stephen went to the media.”
Garth, you hit the nail on the head when you stated that we have too much government. It seems that all levels are inter-related but not one of them can take responsibility for any issue. It is always the other level and any complaints, comments etc. are passed to another level.
This is one of the most frustrating things we taxpayers face. The amalgamation of Ottawa has caused a deterioration in the quality of life for all of us (as property taxes rise) and each level blames the other levels for the ills.
Personally, I would like to see one or two levels, each of which has its own responsibilities and accountabilities.
Unfortunately, provincial finances are tied to federal transfer payments and municipal finances are tied to provincial and federal funding, all of which ultimately ends up on the backs of us taxpayers.
The federal government has no jurisdiction over power plants, for example, but you do have your blog and you have a public forum. Indirectly, you can have an influence over such an issue – if this is what your constituents would like to hand to you, perhaps you could use your blog to force the provincial and municipal levels to pay attention to the Halton taxpayers.
Municipal governments are the most difficult to manage (from a property owner’s perspective). As an example, the city of Ottawa decided to contribute a large amount of money to a new concert hall. The majority of taxpayers in this city will never go to this concert hall. The money would have been better spent on improved bus service. Did we have a chance to influence the funding decision? No. Our concerns went nowhere.
Do we need a north-south rail line? Yes, but the east-west is a more pressing need. Did we have input? Yes, sort of. Did our input do any good? No.
John Baird put the brakes on federal funding to make sure that we receive value for the money, working on behalf of the residents of this city and on behalf of the federal government. Suddenly, he is not exercising prudence but rather he is meddling.
I say that if one level of government is being foolhardy with out money, it is incumbent on the other levels to bring it in check.
Your constituents have high expectations of you, Garth. Indeed, they should because, despite your feud with the CPC, you have stood up for your riding – and rightly so. Your constituents are correct in turning to you and I would encourage you to become indirectly involved to make sure that their concerns taken seriously. This is what you do best and this is something for which you merit full credit.
Go for it.
Distributed hydrogen power generators in everyone’s homes. Now that would be cool. All you need is a hydrogen power generator in each home. For this you would need a solar panel (or solar panel array), whose purpose would be to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen (through electrolysis). Hydrogen gas would power the fuel cell (and provide fuel for your hydrogen car). Any excess could go back into the power grid. Honda is already planning to come out with a hydrogen car, with a hydrogen home power generator. Unfortunately, it will use natural gas to convert to hydrogen fuel. I think using the power of the sun to split water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms (or molecules) would be better.
The beauty of this is that for a neighbourhood / city, there is no single point of failure, no single power plant to destroy (in case of some kind of conflict). In computer terms, it’s kinda like running bittorrent, with multiple nodes sharing files with each other. One node goes down (or multiple nodes go down), but the whole system still works. Whereas if you had an FTP server (single point of failure), if that FTP server goes down (think power plant), then no computer users (think electrically powered homes) can get their files (think power/electricity). But a small hydrogen generator in each home, using the power of the sun to create hydrogen gas (fuel), would solve this problem
Which brings me to another point. If you’re ever having bandwidth problems with MPTV Garth, you can always look into Bittorrent. So we’d all share the bandwidth load together. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent .
You are right about the too many levels of Government. All we need is a strong central Gov. and then everything else should be local. Wind up the useless Provinces!
Do we really need a dozen or more different Ministries of Health, Transport, Education?
Did a separatist Provincial Legislature in Quebec effectively represent the million English speaking people in the province?
Does Dalton McGuinty really have anything in common with the millions of non-promise-breaking honest people in Ontario?
Should New Brunswick, with a population 4 times smaller than Toronto even be a province?
Lots of extra bureaucrats and wasted hot air, I say.
I first met you at one of your investment seminars 20 years ago and I have always admired your direct approach and frank opinion.My wife and I wish you well in these latest challenges. As two of your voters you have our full support. I will not comment in this short email my feelings about Mr. Harper and his ranking party members.
Milton Ontario
Garth,
I’m writing you today to encourage you to become Canada’s first Green Party M.P.. I’m a long time federal Conservative voter from Manitoba, who for the first time last election voted Green. I felt that this party had some significant ideas that needed to be heard at the federal level. The Environment being the most important but not only one. As a farmer I am only to keenly aware of the link between climate stability and economic sustainability and growth. Garth do Canada a big favour and stand-up and be the voice of the Green Party in this Federal parliament.
Is the power plant a forgone conclusion then? Who do we talk to to make sure it doesn’t get built in Milton? From some one who lives in the new subdivision.
Here is what I have suggested to people:
No one wants a power plant in their backyard. It reminds us of what energy hogs we are. We want to bury the darkside of our lifestyles and not take responsibility for what we are doing to our environment. We seem to only get mad when it moves to our neighbourhood. I doubt constituents of Halton are willing to get rid of our 3400 sq. ft. homes with swimming pools and hot tubs. I guess the consequence of that is a powerplant in our backyard fueling our wasteful lifestyles. I am generalising here to make a point-and this point applies to all suburbanites, not just Halton.
WHEN YOU SAY ‘A SERIOUS CUT… BY 2050′ IT IS A BIT MISLEADING
I AM ABOUT 50 LBS OVERWEIGHT
IF I SAID I WOULD LOSE IT BY WED MY WIFE WOULD BE HAPPY BUT I THINK I HAVE TO START LOSING TODAY AND LOSE 1-2 LB PER MONTH SO THAT I WOULD BE THERE IN 2 YEARS
GOVT FUNDS ARE LIMITED
BUSINESS FUNDS ARE LIMITED
WE HAVE TO START ASAP AND GRADUALLY AS WE CAN AFFORD IT AND TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPED, GOALS WILL BE REACHED
FUTURE OUTCOMES OF NEGOTIATING WITH POLLUTERS CANNOT BE FORCED AS BUSINESS HAVE OPTIONS AVAILABLE BY MOVING OR JUST CLOSING
IT YOU GET THIS – SUPPORT CONS PLAN TO GO AHEAD ASAP
REMEMBER – NO ONE KNOWS WHEN ASAP IS UNTIL IT IS DONE
THIS IS A FIRST TIME THING AND ANYONE WHO SAYS THEY KNOW WHEN ASAP IS
IF YOU ARE A CLUELESS FANATIC SUPPORT NDP BY BRINGING BACK STUPID LIBERAL PIE IN SKY PLAN
LIBERALS PROMISE A LOT – THAT’S WHY THEY LIE A LOT
Dear Mr. Turner,
I am not a resident of your riding and could never be called a Conservative Party supporter. I find myself writing this to you because of the unique position you are in. It is my belief that this country needs a representative from the Green Party in Parliament. This historic move, if taken, would bring the environment to the forefront of the Canadian consciousness. We know that an election is likely in the next year and an active member of the Green Party such as yourself, a person who could champion social conservatism with environmental policies, would be a catalist to attract strong candidates in that election. As a independent you will be marginalized and ultimately ineffective. As the first member of a new party you will be an historic figure.
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”
Abraham Lincoln
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Michael, Dundas Ont
Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter to express my views on the proposal for the Pristine Power Plant and the other 3 proposals for significant power plant builds within the Halton footprint. I would appreciate if you could publish my thoughts in one of your upcoming editions so as to potentially motivate our local residents into action before it is too late.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter to express my concerns towards the Pristine Power Plant Proposal in the area of Main Street and Fifth Line. Although this location is by far the most offensive to local residents, I believe that the other 3 proposed sites are also a significant risk.
My wife and I moved to Milton approximately four years ago and were immediately impressed by the natural beauty and charm that Milton offers. At the time, Milton seemed to be a location that offered not only natural charm and character, but also all of the amenities associated with larger communities.
Milton has experienced the challenges associated with large scale growth and expansion. I do not wish to discuss property taxes, local traffic concerns or the lack of road infrastructure as I view all of these to be secondary to the current challenge. Just as talks regarding the massive waste disposal plant seem to be beginning to subside, we are now being targeted with a series of massive power plant proposals. It seems absurd that we should continue to be the scapegoat for the surrounding communities (e.g. GTA needs) and the needs imposed by their swollen populations.
No one can convince me that the Pristine Power Plant Proposal will be good for the town and for the residents of Milton. The plant will be an eyesore, will devalue our homes, may spark additional industrial infrastructure in the surrounding areas and most importantly, will damage the surrounding environment and the health of local residents. What does “Welcome to Escarpment Country” mean these days??? I assume that this message on the 401 is not meant to be an invitation to big businesses to come and plunder the local environment and danger the health of its citizens. If this proposal were to be accepted, the residents of Milton’s Hawthorne Village north of Derry had better sell their homes now as they will certainly be forced to later.
It does not appear to be too late for Milton. Although the town council for Halton Hills has surprisingly provided their support for one of the proposed locations, members of the Milton local council have made the wise decision to reject the Pristine Power Plant proposal. Although this may not stop the plant from being accepted as the preferred location on November 15th, at least it provides clarity to the provincial government that this project is not something that is desired by the local residents of Milton. It is now our turn. Citizens must state their views to the Ontario Power Authority and members of the provincial government. From what I understand, the recent passing of Bill 51 mitigates many of the powers previously held by Milton town council to adjudicate zoning by-laws and other considerations that could have stopped or delayed these proposals until a proper environment assessment had been conducted.
It is our turn to take a stand for the Towns of Milton and Halton Hills. Send your comments to jan.carr@powerauthority.on.ca. It only takes a few moments to send an email against these proposals. The benefits of your actions may protect your family, your homes and the environment of Halton for generations to come!
Thanks – a concerned resident,
Geoff Day.
No wind in the area?
Why not build a wind station instead?
Reading some of these comments the word BANANA comes to mind. Build Absolutly Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone.
I’m sorry but this reeks of BS. If Milton is growing at 500% of the national average then they’re drawing power at that same rate. All this REALLY boils down to is NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). You know what? TOUGH! Where should the power that these determined suburbanites demand come from? Magical pixies? They’re CAUSING the problem by flooding to the area but yet want nothing to do with the solution. Let someone else generate our power for us… that sounds like a great plan!
If they don’t like the standard power plants then they should be given the option for other technologies, be it nuclear, or entirely green – but it should be paid for with THEIR property taxes. Perhaps once the true cost of all the environmental fanaticism starts to hit people’s pockets in a significant way they might stop and think about the kinds of pie in the sky BS their all demanding.
To death and taxes, add as inevitable, power plants.
If Halton doesn’t have any aboriginal residents, then some should be imported (a la McVety) and a land claim registered for the proposed plant sites. This ploy has proved to be effective elsewhere.
I’m afraid Halton’s option is either smokestacks or casinos.
Garth you may not be aware that Alberta is one of only two provinces that
actually have regulated caps on the amount of emissions there utility
companies can emit. Both Transalta and Epcor have had to go offshore to buy
credits at a considerable cost and risk as there is no domestic national or
provincial offset market in which to purchase credits here at home. It is my
understanding that the Ontario utility companies are in the same boat. If
these two provinces are going to regulate their utility companies through
legislation as they have done, why then would they not provide a domestic
marketplace for them to purchase their offset credits here at home until
they could comply with the offset emissions cap in house.
Robert
St Albert, Alberta