Summary
The proponent:
- Has still not shown how they could safely operate their generating station and instead have recently proposed measures that would make operation even more dangerous and even more negatively impact the area's economy.
- Still do not have all the permits required to operate their dangerous hydro-electric generating station and as a result have hired two expensive and well-connected lobbyists to attempt to pressure the Province into providing the final approvals even though issuing these with the information now known would be against the public interest.
Current status
Through the good work of the Mayor and Councillors of the Township of Muskoka Lakes and other sources, we have learned:
- Control of Lake Muskoka water levels continues to be by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), as they have not yet reached an agreement to transfer this significant responsibility to the proponent.
- The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has not yet granted the Permit to Take Water to the proponent. And the MNRF has not yet accepted the proponent's proposed Amendment to the Muskoka River Water Management Plan. As a result, the proponent is still not permitted to operate their generating station.
- The MECP found the proponent's required Acoustic Assessment report was deficient and rejected it. The level of constant noise from this industrial facility is a concern as; it would run day and night, residences are very close, and sound travels far over water. So people would be subjected to the constant drone of machinery and large ventilation fans.
- On the 13 charges against the proponent for noise by-law violations, the Township's and proponent's lawyers have appeared in Bracebridge Court four times before the Justice of the Peace to provide updates and for scheduling. The next step is a pre-trial hearing on December 3, 2019. It is most unfortunate that so much time (these charges were from December of last year) and legal expense is required to pursue this, but we appreciate the Township doing what is needed to enforce its by-laws.
Lobbyists and insider deals
We well remember Doug Ford's passionate promise (video here, transcript here) and that when the former Liberal government was in power now-Premier Doug Ford said: "This project stinks of political interest and insider deals…".
As you can see here from Ontario's Lobbyist Registry, just last month the proponent has yet again hired well-connected expensive lobbyists to try to get these last, and undeserved, approvals:
- One Lobbyist worked for the Ontario government for more than 30 years including as the Chief Administrative Officer and later as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Energy, the other Lobbyist was a Progressive Conservative MPP for four years.
- As you can see, the proponent changed Lobbyist firms when the Doug Ford PC government came into power to a firm better connected to the PC party. Clearly, the proponent's intent is political interference.
The proponent is attempting to use political interest for an insider deal. We look forward to seeing Premier Doug Ford's government showing they are a government "for the people", and not for people that try to buy political influence.
Council of the Township of Muskoka Lakes
As detailed here, at the November 13, 2019 meeting of the Council of the Township of Muskoka Lakes, the Mayor and Councillors unanimously passed a Resolution which included requests to the Province:
- That as the proponent has not shown they could safely operate their generating station, that it not be permitted to operate from May through October.
- That the proponent be required to compensate the Township and Purk's Place for the negative economic impacts caused by measures taken for, and the operation of, the generating station.
- To indemnify the Township for any costs incurred in defending against legal actions initiated against the Township due to injuries resulting from the operation of the generating station.
Also, the proponent has been requested to attend the December 11, 2019 Council meeting to explain their safety measures. That should be an interesting meeting and, as for all Council meetings, all are welcome to respectfully attend.