Libs Lack Plan to Address Wind Turbine Policing Costs: MPP Bailey

(Queen’s Park) – On Wednesday, Sarnia-Lambton MPP, Bob Bailey, asked the Liberal government to explain how it planned to assist rural municipalities dealing with more expensive policing bills as a result of wind turbines being located in their communities.

“Under the OPP’s new billing model, municipalities are now being charged a base service cost for wind turbine property.  How does the Deputy Premier expect municipalities to bear this cost?” asked MPP Bailey.

Recently, the eastern Ontario township of Frontenac Islands received a municipal policing bill that was $26000 higher than expected because of the OPP’s new billing model which includes a charge to police wind turbines.  Local municipalities like Lambton Shores and Plympton-Wyoming, where wind turbines have already been built, or are currently under development, fear that they will face the same increased costs.

“Municipalities were unaware of this added cost. Now municipalities’ hands seem tied because they can’t stop the construction of these approved projects. Many of the municipalities were forced to take these turbines and feel disrespected by this Liberal government. They can’t afford this added cost for policing. Municipalities that are stuck with the added cost want to know what this government is going to do about it?” added MPP Bailey during his questioning of the government.

“Unfortunately for local municipalities, the Liberal government chose to deflect answering the question, proving once again that life is harder under this Liberal government,” noted MPP Bailey following Question Period.

To view the video of MPP Bailey questioning the Liberal government, please visit: http://goo.gl/RDKF9t


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