Clinton News Record, 2014-11-12, Page 5letter to the editor
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 • News Record 5
www.clintonnewsrecord.com
Reader comments on energy costs
To The Editor,
It was interesting to read in a recent
News Record, councillor Metzger's
expression that he is unhappy with
energy prices and the reply he received
from the energy ministry regarding his
displeasure.
Mr. Metzger brings a unique perspec-
tive as he operates Industrial scale
greenhouses (ISGs) in two countries
and can therefore compare directly
costs to operate a business on both
sides of the border. However it is hard to
imagine that the cost of electricity is the
only thing different about running a
business on both sides of the border. If
we really wanted to have a constructive
discussion about why business would
be leaving Ontario, instead of just some
political rhetoric to some niche voters
during our local election, it would be
perhaps helpful if Mr. Metzger com-
pared for us- all of the costs of running a
business on both sides of the border
and how they differ. Apparently his elec-
trical rates are more expensive in
Ontario and he blames renewable
energy policies for which our energy
ministry says renewables are responsi-
ble for 8% of our hydro bills, so what is
the cause of the rest of the discrepancy?
The USA has 10 times the wind energy
as Canada and a greater percentage of
wind energy production than Ontario,
so if that were the reason to make rates
uncompetitive than the USA would be
in a much less competitive position
than us here in Ontario. Surely a green-
house would also use massive amounts
of natural gas for heating. What are the
rate differences there? What is the effect
of the different tax rates vs. Ontario's?
How does the ability to export one's
product compare in both countries?
What kind of government funded pro-
grams are available to expand industrial
greenhouses there versus in the ones we
have in Ontario? How do labour
expenses compare? What kind of pro-
grams are available to make use of
migrant labourers versus the programs
we have here in Ontario? How do
healthcare expenses compare in
Ontario vs. the USA? (I am quite sure
that if Mr. Metzger sent a letter to the
now Republican dominated US govern-
ment complaining about US health care
costs, his reply would be much less
friendly than that which he received
from the Ontario energy ministry!!)
What, if any, rules are in place in either
country for compensating landowners
who live near ISGs who feel that their
property is diminished or that they are
annoyed by living next to greenhouses
that are dozens of acres in size? And
would any potentially exporting busi-
ness in Ontario rather have a electrical
bill 8% lower or a 88 cent dollar??
Although I applaud our local coun-
cil and any of our councillors who
have voted for our municipal solar
projects or have their own private
Green Energy Act projects installed
themselves ( as this is a way to bring
some of the massive amounts of
money spent on energy back to our
local community), I question how
these projects could have happened if
this (these) councillor (s) feel the GEA
is so terrible?
Thank you,
John M. Brand
R.R.#3 Clinton NOM 1L0
519 482 7226
EARLY FILES
November 14, 1968
Clinton officials expect insurance to
cover about $30,000 of the loss result-
ing from a fire which ripped through a
municipal garage on James Street early
last Saturday, destroying all the town's
public works and road equipment.
Reeve James Armstrong told the Town
Council Tuesday night that fire insur-
ance coverage on building, the heavy
equipment it housed and other con-
tents totaled $32,400. No estimate of
overall loss was mentioned, but earlier
figures ranged from $50,00 to $75,00.
November 10, 1977
The Huron County Board of Educa-
tion supported a resolution Monday to
research the elimination of Grade 13
from Huron County schooling but
refused to support any move to elimi-
nate a year of formal education in
county schools without thoroughly
researching the implications. Acting
on a resolution sent to the board by the
Peterborough County Board of Educa-
tion the Huron board agreed to study
the elimination of Grade 13 but
refused to support such a move with-
out researching the subject.
November 10, 1982
History books have recorded the
facts, writers have told the stories, but
only the veterans of the World Wars
have the real, personal memories to
remind us all of the struggle and the
fight to maintain our county's freedom.
Local veterans talked with the News
Record and shared their reminis-
cences. Sitting at his desk in the Clerk
Treasurer's office in Clinton, Cam
Proctor reminisced about his experi-
ences as a navigator during World War
II. When he talked about his time, he
had a big smile on his face, whether he
talked about happy or sad parts.
November 5, 1997
It was an emotional night for a group
of local teachers Thursday as they tried
to explain to their community why edu-
cators have walked out on the very class-
rooms they have sworn to protect. Close
to 150 parents, students and local com-
munity members listened as one by one,
the teachers took turns giving speeches
and answering questions about why
they are participating in the province -
wide strike, which has shut down every
public school across Ontario.
November 1, 2000
The Five Alive hosted an Old Tyme
dance last Saturday evening with a live
band the Blenders. There was a very
good turnout and approximately $550-
$600 was raised for the Huron County
Christmas Bureau. The Five Alive
Committee would like to express their
thanks to all who came out and sup-
ported this worthwhile cause. If there
is a good response there could be
another dance next fall.
g et mill •
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