Sir: In response to the article in The Chatham Voice on Nov. 21, “CPP to purchase turbine company,” I wonder how many taxpayers have looked at this current of events under a microscope.
Personally, it raises red flags that may be observed as being equivalent to a spouse living in an abusive relationship.
The actions taken by the provincial Minister of the Attorney General, withdrawing Environmental Protection Act charges against Pattern Energy, two other wind farm companies, as well as the Minister and Ministry of the Environment creates a new level of the use of power and control. With these actions being followed up by the CPPIB, who are said to be arm’s length from government, purchasing Pattern Energy; I would have to agree with local resident, Christine Burke that more questions come to the surface. Big deals like this do not occur overnight.
The actions of the provincial Minister of the Attorney General to withdraw charges not only smells fishy, or the smell of sulphur, and it doesn’t smell as sweet as the smell of BS. It smells of corporate ties to government and bureaucratic greed resulting in another story of the battle between David and Goliath.
At one end of the spectrum, there are the local residents dealing with a real problem with their drinking water compromised.
In the middle of the spectrum sit the large corporations that are protected and given green lights regardless of the havoc they cause.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have representatives from various branches of government feeding/condoning the havoc that large corporations generate while small locales are ignored, stepped on and left to feel helpless.
Is this what they call democracy? This vicious circle seems to be occurring all over the world.
In the Maritimes, it is the pulp and paper industry creating environmental destruction and polluting drinking water in small and First Nations communities, which was brought to my attention when I went to Windsor’s International Film Festival to see the Canadian documentary film, “There’s Something in the Water.” What an eye opener.
These large corporations use every trick in the book to prevent right action. Rather than becoming the change that would rectify the destruction they have bestowed on an area, they are granted extensions by the courts, which allow them to continue their dirty deed while residents suffer. This attitude/practice puts money above people, with no end in sight.
It seems that citizens who are not affected by these destructive acts need to get involved. It’s about cause and effect. Let’s view it this way…if one neighbour kills another neighbour, the result of that one person’s actions reverberates through the community and beyond; just like the ripples of a stone thrown into sleeping water.
Citizens of this wondrous world need to get involved; and start asking questions, be investigative journalists, and start asking questions concerning our political system, Goliath raping environments and squashing innocent civilians to satisfy their addiction to greed.
Regarding the wind turbines, I am curious who will pay to dismantle them when the time comes. The cement foundations will outlive the ruins of Rome.
On a positive note, people around the world are waking up and challenging the state of affairs that has become the status quo. Astute individuals are noticing the uprising in South American countries, India, Africa, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, just to name a few. If conscientious citizens don’t take a stand by writing letters, taking to the streets or by voicing their concerns in all four directions…inappropriate actions that caused the removal of Jody Wilson-Raybould, the elimination of sectors of the boreal forests near the tar sands, the deforestation of the Amazon, etc., etc.; we will be left with a world of destruction and corporations that will continue to dictate the landscape of our lives.
I thank The Chatham Voice for the opportunity to share my views while we still have freedom of the press.
Wayne Mardling
Chatham
