Ontario government allows local say in green energy projects Wednesday, May 29, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Energy planners and developers must work directly with municipalities to identify appropriate locations and site requirements for any future large renewable energy projects, according to changes being implemented by Ontario’s Energy Ministry. The ministry’s new comprehensive procurement process for renewable projects greater than 500 kilowatts will replace the existing large project stream of the Feed In Tariff (FIT) program. The ministry announced the changes today. The changes are good news, says Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) president Russ Powers, a Hamilton city councilor. But AMO wants clarification on protection for municipalities that are unwilling hosts of large renewable energy projects. “Will they (municipalities that are unwilling hosts) have a guarantee that nothing will be imposed upon them?” Powers asks. This is a question that hasn’t yet been answered but it’s one AMO will be asking the government, he says. The process of how the consultation for willing host municipalities will work is to be sorted out this summer, he adds. Powers says AMO has had extensive talks with Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli about the Green Energy Act. That Chiarelli and Premier Kathleen Wynne listened “to our concerns” is exhibited in the comments the energy minister made today. The announcement “builds on what the premier had indicated was that she wants to approach project site (locating) differently with greater local input and a focus on willing communities,” Powers notes. Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ernie Hardeman, the MPP for Oxford, says he’s happy to see the government finally realized there must be local say in renewable energy projects. “I’ve said it many times before, they can decide where the Tim Hortons goes in their community why shouldn’t they be able to decide where that type of activity should go.” But there’s a lot in today’s announcement that creates more questions than answers, he adds. For example, what happens to the projects currently underway? “What about all those (projects) that have been bulldozed through without municipal support and, in fact, directly in contravention of municipal support?” Hardeman asks. “Are they still going to be allowed to be built?” Other changes the government announced in its May 30 press release include: Revising the small FIT program rules for projects between 10 and 500 kW to give priority to projects partnered or led by municipalities; Working with municipalities to determine a property tax rate increase for wind turbine towers; Providing funding to help small and medium-sized municipalities develop municipal energy plans, which will focus on increased conservation and help identify the best energy infrastructure options for a community. About prices, Hardeman questions whether the government’s changes include provisions to ensure the power being approved is needed “and it’s not being put in the market when we don’t need it and it’s being done at a price that’s competitive with the power that’s available.” The province also plans to make 900 megawatts of new capacity available between now and 2018 for small FIT and micro-FIT programs. Starting this fall, the Ontario Power Authority will open a new procurement window for both programs, including 70 megawatts for small FIT and 30 megawatts for micro-FIT. Starting in 2014, the annual procurement targets will be set at 150 megawatts for small FIT and 50 megawatts for micro-FIT. BF Montreal processor now Ontario's only supplier of kosher chicken Grey municipality readies plan 'B' for animal welfare
First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program Thursday, September 4, 2025 This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone... Read this article online
Manitoba Farmers Defend Their Whisky Roots Amid Ontario Backlash Thursday, September 4, 2025 As most reader will know by now, on August 28, beverage alcohol giant Diageo announced it will be closing its Amherstburg, Ontario bottling plant. Located just 25 kilometres from the nearest U.S. border crossing, the company says the decision is part of a strategy to streamline its supply... Read this article online
Global grain trade gets a shake-up: What it means for Canadian farmers Tuesday, September 2, 2025 The global grain and oilseed trading industry is undergoing a major transformation—and Canadian farmers should take note. A recently published study in the September 2025 issue of discussed how the traditional dominance of a few multinational giants is giving way to a more competitive,... Read this article online
Canadian Farmers Face Weaker Soybean Yields Ahead Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Statistics Canada forecasts that Canadian soybean production will decline in 2025, reflecting weaker yields across major producing provinces. Nationally, output is projected to fall by 7.3% year over year to 7.0 million tonnes. The decline is linked to a drop in yields, which are expected... Read this article online
Canadian Corn Outlook Shows Mixed Regional Trends Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Statistics Canada projects Canadian corn-for-grain production to grow slightly in 2025, despite drier-than-normal weather and high temperatures that have pressured yields. National production is forecast to rise 1.4% year over year to 15.6 million tonnes. This gain comes from higher... Read this article online