The deputy mayor of Saugeen Shores is concerned the Ministry of Environment is allowing the Unifor wind turbine in Port Elgin to operate out of compliance.
Luke Charbonneau tabled a notice of motion to seek a meeting to discuss the operation of the turbine after viewing documents obtained by Saugeen Turbine Operation Policy, or "STOP", which has opposed the turbine since it was constructed at the union's Family Education Centre.
Charbonneau says STOP obtained documents through a Freedom of Information request, which are the results of sound testing conducted by the Ministry of Environment on a complaints-basis since the turbine went into operation in 2013.
He says the information is concerning and they now need assurances that the Ministry of Environment will enforce the regulations imposed on the turbine, something he's worried is not happening.
"Really, it's not Unifor we're talking about at this point, it's the Ministry of Environment and their obligation to ensure that when they approve a turbine, and they set criteria for how it runs, that they enforce that and that enforcement, if it's not complied with, comes with some consequences or some remedial action that ensures it comes into compliance. We're not confident they're doing that right now," says Charbonneau.
Charbonneau's motion requests the meeting include municipal representatives, as well as representatives from Unifor, the Ministry of the Environment and STOP.
According to STOP, more than 100 homes and cottages are located within a 550-metre radius of the Unifor wind turbine.