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Energy Minister can cancel wind power contracts

Despite statements made to the media by Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli that it would be “illegal” to cancel Feed In Tariff contracts with wind power developers, court documents show that the opposite is true, Wind Concerns Ontario states in a letter to the minister today.

The decision in Trillium vs. Ontario, 2013, clearly states that governments are free to alter policies in the public interest.  As well, a legal opinion from Osler Hoskins Harcourt advises that companies in the renewable power business participate in government subsidy programs ‘at their own risk.’ That means, Mr. Chiarelli and his government could end these multi-million-dollar contracts if they want to.

At present, Ontario has 55 wind power projects in various stages of approval; if all are approved the costs to Ontario could be more than $1 billion a year or $22 billion over the 20-year life of the contracts.

Mr. Chiarelli said in the Legislature that Ontario has a surplus of power. The question for Ontario now is, why not end these contracts for power we don’t need and can’t afford? Does he answer to Ontarians, or the wind power lobby?

Trillium vs Ontario decision http://canlii.ca/en/on/onca/doc/2013/2013onca683/2013onca683.html

Osler Hoskins legal opinion http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/282310/Renewables/Appeal+Court+Allows+2Billion+Wind+Farm+Action+to+Proceed+Against+Government+of+Ontario

Ontario’s $22B for wind http://www.freewco.blogspot.ca/p/ontarios-22b-for-wind.html

Jane Wilson, president
Wind Concerns Ontario

Filed Under: Letters and OpinionNews from Everywhere Else

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  1. Jim McMillan says:

    Missed Sue ‘s Goldhawk show.
    Trouble with being on holidays.
    Plenty of encouraging material.
    Hope everyone else listened to it.
    Interesting article that Marie drew our attention to.
    There may be some form of anti Industrial Wind Terminal groundswell forming.
    Daily Hansard reports the relentless attacks by Hudak and his forces.
    Is the pendulum moving?
    We must not relax.

  2. Marie says:

    http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/4401406-company-pulls-wind-turbine-project-near-temple-development/

    Developer pulls plug on Turbine project near proposed Buddhist temple near Pontypool.

    Could they be worried the next government will cancel FIT contracts?

  3. County Steve says:

    Thanks Sue … this is a terrific conversation. I know it will be shaken off by the committed pro-winds as propaganda to the anti-winds … but all of this discussion has been documented in various forms, and spells fiasco.

  4. Wolf Braun says:

    This is good news for the new incoming Energy Minister ! Now all we need to do is ensure that current government gets the message.

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