People from all corners of the province rallied in Queen’s Park on April 28th to voice their concerns about wind turbines!

McGuinty must have had something blocking his view when he claims a hundred people were there. Estimates are that there were at least 700 people at the rally, some leaving early, more coming to take their place.

People who have seen their communities ravaged by wind turbines sent blessings to the rally and they were there in spirit. Letters of support came from Quebec, the United States, Nordic and Baltic States, France, Germany, Spain, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Speakers included several conservative MPPs, Dr. McMurtry, Ian Hanna, Eric Gillespie, Michael Trebilcock, Carmen Krogh, John Laforet, municipal representatives and people who have had to cope with living near turbines, .

Many managed to get a seat, but there were a few empty seats in the public gallery as at least 30-plus people waited to get in to see the debate on an issue that could effect their lives so dramatically and permanently.

The motion was put forward by John Yakabuski: “I move that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario calls for a moratorium on all wind farm projects until an independent, comprehensive study of the health and environmental impacts of wind farms is completed and Premier McGuinty restores the planning authority governing them to municipalities and local boards.”

The Conservatives continually challenged Liberal and NDP MPPs who hollowly prattled out the same old debunked and outdated arguments.

MPP Helena Jaczek stated “... there is no published data that confirm the claims of adverse health effects for lowfrequency sounds of low pressure. In 1999-”

Norma, who had been quietly sitting in the gallery flew to her feet and spoke from the deepest place in her heart. She was like a kick in the stomach as to the reality of this issue! She was strong and sure when she spoke. She told them that she was evidence that something is wrong, that this was real, that people are getting sick, that she is an RN who knows about health and symptoms and that she has been sick since the Enbridge wind turbines started up. She said that she has experienced the headaches, the nausea, the sleep deprivation, that she had to give up her job; a job she dearly loved and that she was going to have to give up her home of 32 years, the home she raised her three children in.

The Deputy Speaker asked to have Norma removed but the security person only stood nearby.

Norma continued, asking how dare this government, a government that is supposed to protect us, deny that this is happening to us! Where is my government? Where is Carol Mitchell who is supposed to be representing me? You should all be ashamed of yourselves!

Suddenly all in the public galleries were on their feet applauding and cheering! The Conservatives on the floor followed suit.

The Deputy Speaker decided to clear the galleries.

Some continued expressing concern by sitting quietly and refusing to leave. One person clearly voiced his disgust that the government removed our municipal voice and were now doing the same in the provincial legislature

Another asked where the ministries were to defend the environment, the wildlife and proper process. Another asked if any elected representatives had been forced to abandon their homes as she had been forced to do.

The Liberal and NDP MPPs voted to defeat the motion, denying and revictimizing many families across Ontario.

Lorrie Gillis Grey Highlands