At 1:00 pm on Thursday October 7, 2010, Ontario’s Energy Minister Brad Duguid announced that the controversial power station proposed for the Town of Oakville would not be built.
Thus ended a multi-year, extremely well-organized fight against this power station – which was to be built too close to a residential area, despite the proponent’s assertions that it would be safe.
While there are many differences in situation, we can benefit from their experience.
The main lesson is that they were successful not only because the community was united against the project, but the local municipal government – the Mayor and the Councillors – were also united against the project.
The Oakville municipal government didn’t just say they were opposed the project, they passed bylaws and went to the Ontario Municipal Board to delay and stop the proposed power station. Their Committee of Adjustment didn’t allow variances requested by the proponent and the municipal government even amended their Official Plan to prohibit the proposed power station. The municipal government had no problem with going to court against an extremely well-financed private developer. That is, the local government used every power they had to protect the health and safety of their electorate. Even the local MPP introduced a private member’s bill to stop the proposed power plant.
Our provincial and federal politicians take their lead from our municipal politicians. The tipping point to get the crucial political support in our fight against the proposed project in Bala begins with our newly-elected municipal representatives – we look forward to public consultation and transparency in their decision-making.