The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Speakers question speed of power plant decision 5 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Continued from page 4 voiced concerns about the power plant during the hearing. Although he is not an expert on such issues, Hiebert said those who are should be given the time they need to examine them. "With so many students spending every day this close to a power plant, this isn't a situation we can rush into. If there is a chance of potential risk, even a slight one, this is something that if handled improperly, could be devastating," said Hiebert. "There have been some studies I've read, as recently as today, showing that kids with asthma, kids with other issues, are significantly impacted by this and to ram it through is not only not right, it's very, very negligent." Hiebert said the number of permits necessary to take down a tree in Oakville amazed him and that similar due diligence should be required to establish a power plant. Speaker Bernard Kruyne stated he could not understand why Ford of Canada and TransCanada could not give the Town the 166 days it needs to conclude its study into what lands in Oakville are appropriate for a power plant. "The Official Plan amendment and Interim Control Bylaw 2009-065 are more than warranted," said Kruyne. "Good planning is even more necessary now than it was before and without evidence that other government parties are fulfilling their tasks responsibly, the task of the Town planning staff is even more challenging, requiring more resources and more time." For Mississauga Residents's Association Network (MIRANET) Secretary Dorothy Tomiuk, the hearing was another opportunity to show just how confused the provincial government has become concerning energy policy. Tomiuk pointed to the Ontario Power Authority's Integrated Power System Plan. The plan, which outlines where Ontario's electricity system will go over the next 20 years, was submitted to the Ontario Energy Board in 2007, but never approved. "As citizens, we ask where is the accountability when the government's own energy strategy has yet to be reviewed and approved after more than two years, but harmful consequences for communities are nonetheless being perpetrated? It is bad planning to remove the protection of the interim control bylaw while the provincial policy governing potential use of the land has itself not been approved," said Tomiuk. "The Ontario government has announced a $6 billion deficit this year. Meanwhile, billion dollar fossil-fuelled peaker plants continue to be built in order to run 40 per cent of the time. Part-time power generation, but full-time profits for their investors. Who will pay for this?" 0 Introducing % Special Expires November 2 HURRY IN Recycle Program $ Starting from The Ford $ Your Ride 29,980 3,300 14,699 $ Starting from $ Starting from 24,499 Ford Recycle Your Ride Ford Recycle Your Ride Ford Recycle Your Ride $ 10,300 $ 1,800 3,000 2,000 $ 300 $ 5,300 tips t seats dio input jack io HURRY TO Oak-land Ford Lincoln. YOUR 2010 IS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. Plus Freight Focus $1,350, Edge $1,400, F-Series $1,400. All taxes extra, license, admin. Vehicle may not be exactly as shown. See dealer for details. www.oak-land.com · 570 TRAFALGAR RD., OAKVILLE AT THE QEW · 905.844.3273 Doing business your way ALL VEHICLES ARE MARKET VALUE PRICED. Oak-land Ford Lincoln Family owned & operated for 40 years!