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
5.5% values rise in Canadian farmland - FCC Report Friday, October 11, 2024 FCC reports strong increase in Canadian farmland values According to Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Canadian cultivated farmland values experienced an average increase of 5.5% in the first half of 2024. Over the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024, farmland values rose by 9.6%, although... Read this article online
OP-ED: Happy Agriculture Week from Minister Flack Thursday, October 10, 2024 Rob Flack, Ontario's minister of farming, agriculture and agribusiness, provided the following message to celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week: Happy Ontario Agriculture Week! Every year during the week before Thanksgiving Monday, we celebrate the 871,000 people across the food supply... Read this article online
Helping farmers become more resilient to extreme weather and climate change Thursday, October 10, 2024 Funding supports 213 projects for resilient agricultural landscapes The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced over $12.2 million in funding to support 213 agricultural projects across Ontario. These projects aim to make farmland more resilient to extreme weather and... Read this article online
2024 Bright Futures scholarships awarded by Hensall co-op Thursday, October 10, 2024 Three students awarded scholarships for advancing agriculture and rural communities Hensall Co-op has announced the recipients of its 2024 Bright Futures Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture or fields that benefit rural... Read this article online
New wheat varieties boost disease resistance for healthy crops Thursday, October 10, 2024 Climate-smart wheat to resist diseases In Ontario, researchers at the University of Guelph are working to breed disease-resistant wheat varieties to help farmers combat Fusarium head blight (FHB), a fungal disease affecting wheat crops. Led by Dr.Helen Booker, this program aims to... Read this article online