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The Citizen, 2011-09-29, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011.Green energy critical in Huron-Bruce: candidatesContinued from page 20public services instead of interestpayments.2. Support entrepreneurs,innovation and strong localeconomies. A) Reduce red tape forsmall and medium-sized businessesso they continue to create jobs thatsupport our communities. B)Support research and development in jobs that will power our economy in the coming decades, including clean technology and knowledge- based services. C) Improve high- speed internet access for Ontario. 3. Develop youth employment opportunities by updating and strengthening our education system. A) Freeze tuition for the 2012-13 school year while maintaining university and college budgets; index tuition increases to the rate of inflation from 2013-15. B) Expand training and certification programs in job growth areas such as green buildings, biomedical technology, renewable energy and sustainable transportation. C) Increase investments in apprenticeship, co- operative and mentorship programs. CS: Ontario needs to maintain a low tax environment to encourage companies to invest in growing the Ontario economy. We need to give consumers more disposable income to spend on what’s important for families and to boost the local economy. We need to support local businesses and encourage people to shop locally. We would keep the local economy intact, for example, the Walkerton Jail needs to stay open. We need to boost our economy by employing local businesses instead of paying foreign companies for huge government contracts as our present government is doing. We do not need a foreign company to manage the green infrastructure programs. If there is another downturn and further stimulus is targeted, we need to return to fiscal balance on the provincial level. DV: Again, reduce government intervention, red tape and simplify the tax code and reduce the size of government! 5. Electricity costs and the Green Energy Act have become controversial in Huron-Bruce. Where do you stand on these issues? CM: As a parent and former Girl Guide leader, I know the impacts that asthma can have on our children. The Ontario Liberals are committed to reducing pollution by eliminating coal-fired power by 2014 to protect the long-term health and well-being of Ontarians now, and for generations to come. Our plan will also attract billions of dollars in new investments and create 50,000 jobs in Ontario. Through our Green Energy Act we have taken a cautious approach when setting standards to protect Ontarians. I’m proud to say we havethe toughest legislated setbacks inNorth America for wind turbines.Solar and wind projects create jobsand put money in the pockets of ourfarmers. Clean energy onlycontributes three per cent to the costof electricity, approximately $3 amonth on the average bill. Andwe’ve provided you with 10 per cent off your hydro bill, which is more than the eight per cent impact of the HST. Residents of Huron-Bruce want to know that when they flip the switch, their lights will turn on. That’s why we’ve made incredible investments to our energy infrastructure here in Ontario. This includes a commitment to refurbishments at Bruce Power, the riding’s largest employer. Because of the leadership of the Ontario Liberals, our children and grandchildren will have cleaner air and a reliable energy system. Let’s move foreward, together. LT: Nuclear power is a proven technology that is safe, clean, and efficient. Bruce Power is a major employer providing well-paying jobs. The PC Party is committed to nuclear, natural gas and hydro-electric. The NDP, contrary to what Grant Robertson is saying, wants to turn its back on nuclear. I support clean air and renewable energy like wind and solar. I do not support the Green Energy Act (GEA) or the Feed In Tariff (FIT) Program, it makes no economic sense. Higher energy costs are making it harder for families and the negative impact on business is stalling our economic recovery. Why more wind turbines? The Independent Electricity System Operator, reports Ontario faces a large energy surplus for the next five years, because of the decline of Ontario’s manufacturing base. We are spending millions paying the wind industry to produce power and then losing millions more by selling surplus power on the export market at 80 per cent less than our cost. When Carol Mitchell, was Parliamentary Assistant in Municipal Affairs, her government removed municipal controls via the Green Energy Act. As a former municipal politician, she would have known the negative impact this omission would cause but, she chose to be the champion of industrial wind farms. A PC government will return this control to the municipalities. GR: In my role as the Ontario Co- ordinator of the NFU (National Farmers Union) I was the first prominent rural Ontarian to publicly speak out against how the Green Energy Act stripped local decision- making from our communities. The province has essentially handed over the keys to our countryside to multi-national companies and has given them more control than our citizens over how our communities will develop and what they will look like. It could have been different. We could have a system that still supported renewable energy development, but that was smaller scale and giving preference to individual and community/co-op projects. And that is the route the NDP will take. Giving community a say over what happens and approving projects that will save you money. The other parties want to continue to fight and argue over this issue for their own political advantage. The NDP wants to end the divisiveness caused by these issues. So we pledge to change the system altogether so that all new energy generation, regardless of type, is subject to environmental assessments, including health, and is done in the community interest. In the end that is the only way to solve these issues and move forward. The NDP also has a plan to save you money on home energy retro-fits and conservation projects. Through credits, loans and grants you will be able to purchase more efficient appliances, install better insulation and windows. And we will take the HST off of home heating and hydro right away to make those bills more affordable immediately. PM: The Green Energy Act is an important step in taking greater steps toward renewable energy, reducing pollution and creating meaningful jobs for Ontarians to improve rural economic development. If you are part of the Green Energy Act you are paid for the amount that you contribute to the energy grid. Wind and solar energy currently do not have their capital subsidized by the government. Again, you will find barriers preventing entrepreneurs from saving us money in new technologies in efficiency and a new smart grid. We want to get the banks to process loans without choking the entrepreneur’s personal equity. We want to put processes in simple language that is clear and necessary, reducing the amount of paperwork. Should the green energy act be cancelled, it would be unfair to the farmers that depend on it as an income. We need to prioritize energyefficiency to reduce Ontario’s energyconsumption. We can save moneyand create jobs by expanding thehome energy savings program aspart of a Green Building Programwhich would encourage a whole-systems approach through designand building techniques to lessenenergy consumption. The Green Party will pursue a secure and financially-responsible energy supply by using community-based renewables that generate local benefits. Communities working as a group producing its own power. Nuclear energy is obviously important force in Huron-Bruce. The Green Party of Ontario proposes that we create no new plants, and refurbish the existing facilities and prohibit cost overruns for nuclear projects from being passed to tax payers. The priority is finding more sustainable substitutes for coal (which has tremendous negative effects on health and environment). In terms of wind energy, the Green Party is in support. However, I understand the concerns of those affected by the turbines in Huron- Bruce. Our communities should have been given a say on placement of turbines, where the noise and aesthetics wouldn’t have been an issue. Potentially by the 400-series highways? With renewable energy we’re replacing coal, and power is being produced where it is needed. Negotiate agreements to purchase inexpensive hydroelectricity from neighbouring provinces and increase hydro generation in Ontario. CS: I believe that it is important to balance lowest-cost market with a respect for the environment, not government political priorities and ideology. Communities should control their own energy supplies rather than provincial politicians controlling them through a bureaucracy. The current wind farms that are being built are put up by large companies which are leaving the people of the community with no say in what is happening in their area. The Green Energy Act is a vague document that costs taxpayers millions of dollars. It is supported by huge corporations which leave the local community without any say in the matter. The FCP believes that the local communities should have control of their own power and it should be left to the communities to decide whether they want wind, or solar in addition to nuclear and hydro energy. We need to dismantle the Ontario Power Authority and farm out its functions to more efficient local distribution companies which will structure the co-operative collection and distribution of electricity on the province, and will explore new sources of energy. I also think that the smart meter pricing system should be scrapped. It discriminates against people and businesses that must use electricity throughout the day. It is also necessary to renegotiate the Harmonized Sales Tax with the federal government to eliminate the HST on essential energy charges. In short, I believe that we need to continue exploring and developing new sources of energy which are safe for the community and that won’t cost Ontarians millions of dollars. DV: As I have been saying for five elections now, “we need to act for the silent majority” not special interest groups! And from what I have been hearing people in this riding do not want wind turbines. And I'm alright with that to! Democracy in action! You’ve got to love it! CAROL MITCHELL PATRICK MAIN LISA THOMPSON CHRISTINE SCHNURR DENNIS VALENTAGRANT ROBERTSON The Bluewater Canadian Council of the Blind meeting was held Sept. 20. After business was brought to date, Dianne Cook read a poem on life today. Edna Wheeler, a new member was welcomed. Roll call was your winter vacation. Gordon Hill has ordered 2012 big print calendars which can be picked up at the Thanksgiving meal Oct. 18 or Frank Cameron’s office. The book sale money was sent to London CNIB, plus the same amount matched by Goderich Scotia Bank. Gordon’s humour told of someone being asked to name the Great Lakes. “They are already named” was the reply. The April meeting will be a potluck supper. Entertainment was violin music by Andrew Patrick and Sherry and Murray McCall accompanied by Marie Flynn on piano. Dorothy Bolton said blessing for a lunch served by Reta Van Dyke and Marilyn Tyndall. Council welcomes new member ON $6.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $6.00 + HST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen