Globalization is failing western economies as the migration of industries to low-wage nations, with limited environmental regulations, continues. A nation must have a strong industrial, manufacturing base on which to build its economy and from which to develop markets.

Ontario appears to be blindsided in its policy and conviction that economic development can be achieved by moving from industrial growth and manufacturing to a service economy where jobs consist of selling products made overseas and hope that good jobs and wealth can be created leading to a viable society. The only beneficiaries in such a society will be the businesses peddling the imported goods and the overseas manufacturer. That will be the initial result until the low income service jobs fail to meet the cost of of basics, and right now we see this scenario emerging as essentials such as electricity costs rise to alarming levels.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, Ontario was the economic engine of the country; investments were pouring into the province and industries were expanding at a rate of 300 to 350 annually and new manufacturing plants were numerous. Why was Ontario the place to be at that time and not today? Energy was inexpensive and the electrical services were reliable and well maintained. High skills were numerous and finding work was assured. The multi-million dollar market place was within a one day’s drive from Ontario’s heartland Educational facilities were available at affordable prices and well recognized internationally. Land and construction costs were fair and reasonable.

Today everything is too expensive and that is a deterrent to investors.. In those days of growth the expansion of our economy the number of skilled worker available domestically to meet the requirements of industry was in decline and that deficiency led to the government of the day establishing an overseas recruitment body that would give business the means whereby any employer having difficulty locating skilled employees could travel overseas to a pre-selected country where arrangements were provided for interviewing applicants, offer employment, and arrange for the applicant’s emigration. An average of 35,000 skilled workers entered Canada annually thanks to that initiative.

How the worm has turned. Our immigration program today is structured around numbers, 300,000 annually, designed to provide a breeding stock that will ensure population growth meets economic needs as fewer Canadian families produce sufficient numbers of children to meet projected population requirements.

Clearly this policy fails to consider the demands flowing from such population expansion: Each new mouth has to be fed and with so few jobs around these new arrivals will rapidly become dependant on social services. They will consume electricity at a time when this Liberal government has embarked on a sure-to- fail program of wind generation. Huge multi-million dollar machine, as much as 350 feet in height, all made in foreign countries and erected on prime agricultural lands destroying its food production capacity and its beauty. These machines are dependent on the wind, and so far guaranteeing wind, direction and velocity has not been achieved by man. When the wind strength is insufficient to generate adequate electricity, turbines, operated by carbon based fuels, are supplementing the wind operated electricity short fall. A costly and environmentally damaging solution to a flawed system..

The health effect on those living close to one of these wind turbines is not receiving the recognition it merits, People have been forced from their land by the electronic and sound vibration these devices create. Animals too are sensitive to these disturbances and have abandoned their habitats. Farm animals have been sold by their owners because of the deleterious health effects emanating from these machines. In one location in California 75 birds were killed by the whirling blades, five bald eagles and numerous hawks. In Ontario the bird death count includes all bird species and bats.

If this costly program could resolve our electricity demands it might be arguable that we should grin and bear it, despite the costs to health and environment, but that is unacceptable Wind generation is being abandoned all over Europe, because, at last, and millions of taxpayer’s dollars later, the people who gave the green light to this venture, have been forced to recognize that it is not working..

Before we blindly follow the mistakes of others, let us force our political masters to see their error and stop this madness immediately.

Ken Hayward

Mono