Ontario adopts Elimination of Ground Current Pollution Bill 161

Ontario Considers Adoption of Elimination of Ground Current Pollution Bill 161

Sorry, it’s not officially adopted yet, pardon my error

André

‘'the detriment to the health and well-being of impacted farm animals from stray current is very concerning. Even more alarming is new evidence that suggests human health may be impacted by this issue.”

- Rick Nicholls, PC Critic for Community Safety

From: Magda Havas 

Feb 18 2016

Canadian Province of Ontario: Bill 161 passed its second reading with unanimous support from all three parties.  

Several MPPs from all three parties addressed this Bill.  Many were in the House 10 years ago, when Maria Van Bommel presented a similar Bill.  They asked why little to nothing had been done regarding this serious problem. 

Rick did an excellent job.  His presentation is provided below.  About 30 plus farmers came from different parts of Ontario.  "Ontario Farmer" covered the passing of this Bill so wait for the next issue.

Lee Montgomery attended the reading as he did 10 years ago.   It is now 44 years that he has been fighting this injustice.  One tough little guy who just doesn't know how to call it quits.  He has been an inspiration to many of us who want the government to do the right thing and put current back onto the wire where it belongs.  

The speeches from MPPs were inspiring and many commented on the importance of farming and the farm family in Ontario.  You should be able to view this debate tomorrow, Feb 19  (check your local TV listing).

It has been a long, very long, uphill battle and the battle is far from over.  The Bill now goes to Committee and it will depend on the government as to how quickly Bill 161 will be dealt with.  

I do believe this government is committed to doing the right thing but they will be met with opposition from Hydro One and the other electricity providers.  The solution to the ground current problem, if generated off farm, will be expensive.  Distribution poles and especially the neutral conductor need to be updated in areas where load exceeds capacity of the neutral to return the current to source.  

The government has two years to determine how to implement Bill 161 and that implementation has to be completed within 10 years.  Hopefully some of the more severely affected regions of Ontario will get immediate attention so that livestock and farmers need no longer suffer the consequence of ground current pollution.

Once again a hardy thanks to all of you for your interest and your help.  A special thanks to Rick Nicholls who has been working on this issue for the past 4 years.  We need more MPPs like Rick, who are working to make Ontario a healthier place to live.  

Please share this information with others who are interested.

-magda

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Dr. Magda Havas, BSc, PhD
Environmental & Resource Studies,
Trent University, Peterborough, ON
phone:  1-705-748-1011 ext 7882
email:  mhavas@trentu.ca
website:  www.magdahavas.com
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