Anti-turbine activist stands firm Thursday, March 3, 2011 by PAT CURRIEDon’t count it as a legal watershed for battles over other wind farm proposals.That’s a Chatham-Kent anti-turbine activist’s perspective of the Ontario Divisional Court’s decision this week to quash a challenge to provincial law that sets minimum distances between power-generating wind turbines and human habitations."All I see is one court passing the buck to another," said Monica Elmes, speaking for the Chatham-Kent Wind Action Group. The group is appealing approval of Suncor Energy’s proposed Kent Breeze wind farm project near Thamesville, about 20 kilometres northeast of Chatham, on the grounds it is a health hazard.Suncor is proposing to place eight turbines on farmland to generate 20 megawatts of power.The Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) is hearing the appeal. It has been shifting proceedings back and forth between Chatham and Toronto since early February. In the Ontario Divisional Court’s decision, issued Thursday, three judges wrote that they did not consider it the proper jurisdiction to rule on the constitutionality or wisdom of the province in setting the 55-metre setback."I find it kinda funny – the MOE (Ministry of the Environment) lawyers at first said that Ontario Divisional Court was where the challenge should be heard and now the court is saying it should be heard by the ERT,” said Elmes. "It seems that both bodies are trying to pass the buck. Meanwhile, there’s no justice for the people who are suffering physically from the presence of the turbines. There’s no justice." BF Wind opponents eye political solution following court defeat Good news for solar project
Drew Spoelstra re-elected OFA president Friday, December 6, 2024 Drew Spoelstra has been re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Spoelstra is a dairy and crop farmer from Binbrook in the southeast corner of the city of Hamilton, Ontario. He has been on the OFA board as the director,... Read this article online
Winter is Here: Time to Dust Off the Sled and Make the Most of the Season! Friday, December 6, 2024 BYLINE: Zahra Sadiq On a snowy winter day, there is nothing quite as magical as the thrill of racing down a hill on a sled. Sleds have brought joy to generations, offering a simple yet unforgettable way to embrace the winter wonderland. With Christmas approaching, now is the... Read this article online
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention Registration Now Open Friday, December 6, 2024 Canada’s top horticulture event for education and networking Online registration is now open for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC), the must-attend annual event for anyone in the horticultural industry. Taking place over two days, the convention is an essential... Read this article online
New projects drive Ontario agritourism forward Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Funding boost expands agritourism opportunities in Ontario Ontario’s agritourism industry is growing with the help of $345,000 in government funding. Agritourism Ontario (AO), rebranded from Farm Fresh Ontario, is using this support to enhance connections between families and local... Read this article online
First edition of Ag & Country published for Western Canada Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Farms.com is pleased to share the inaugural edition of the Ag & Country Directory in Western Canada. The company has produced the Ag & Country Directory in Ontario for several years, and this year launched the Western Canadian version. Farmers in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba... Read this article online