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Do you agree with the OFA that no more wind turbines should be built until a number of issues are dealt with?

The OFA has made a call to the Ontario government to suspend industrial wind turbines saying there are too many unanswered questions about its value, and that the debate over turbines is polarizing rural communities.

Read the OFA article - click here.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree that no more wind turbines should be built until a number of issues are dealt with?

Take the POLL: Do you think Ontario should halt wind turbines? click here

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Political posturing is usually done to help gain a position or some kind of advantage.  What could OFA possibly gain by going against wind turbines when everything green must be sacrosanct by this McGuinty gov't.  Ever thought that people dealing with these developments are finally fed up and are finally getting a voice.  I commend OFA for having the courage to question the value of supposed "green" energies like wind.  This McGuinty gov't shows contempt for all rural residents, not just farmers  because he knows that it's the city vote that get's him elected. 

Joann said:

I don't believe this is anything more than political posturing.

Our Premier has, in my personal opinion, shown nothing short of contempt towards farmers for the past 9 years.

Ontario is preparing for a budget.  The OFA dealt the first hand.


It will be interesting to see how the government play their cards.

The Province has to prepare a budget.  We all know the huge deficit Mr. McGuinty created and the economy is headed downhill for the next foreseeable future....maybe the slide will be stalled by the USA printing more money until the election is over......but we are standing on the edge of a cliff right now.  That means CUTS and more FEES.  Fees is the preferable word to TAXES but it does have the same result.  

You can bet the government will make cuts and increase revenue through fees a/o taxes.

But where to cut?

The OFA has put the current Liberal leadership and the potential leadership (Mr. Bentley) on notice.  Mr. Bentley needs the rural vote, now more than ever. The OFA needs to protect agriculture from further financial erosion or their organization will be at risk.


Colette McLean said:


Political posturing is usually done to help gain a position or some kind of advantage.  What could OFA possibly gain by going against wind turbines when everything green must be sacrosanct by this McGuinty gov't.  Ever thought that people dealing with these developments are finally fed up and are finally getting a voice.  I commend OFA for having the courage to question the value of supposed "green" energies like wind.  This McGuinty gov't shows contempt for all rural residents, not just farmers  because he knows that it's the city vote that get's him elected. 

Joann said:

I don't believe this is anything more than political posturing.

Our Premier has, in my personal opinion, shown nothing short of contempt towards farmers for the past 9 years.

Ontario is preparing for a budget.  The OFA dealt the first hand.


It will be interesting to see how the government play their cards.

For those who think that Europe is smitten with Industrial wind turbines.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/297150/MPS-bid-to-halt-hot-air-...

At present, there are about 3,000 onshore wind turbines with a few hundred off shore. They generate less than two per cent of the nation’s power and are frequently brought to a standstill by too cold or too windy conditions.

The same goes for solar energy

 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809439,00.html

Solar energy has gone from being the great white hope, to an impediment to a reliable energy supply

Well don't you think that those initiatives which cannot show themselves to provide any cost benefit for the Ontario taxpayer or ratepayer, should be cancelled at least to help stop this huge deficit.  Green Energy has been forecasted as adding over $300 per household to provide a handful of developers using 75% foreign product to maintain their business case for 20 years.   Cut green energy!!! 

Joann said:

The Province has to prepare a budget.  We all know the huge deficit Mr. McGuinty created and the economy is headed downhill for the next foreseeable future....maybe the slide will be stalled by the USA printing more money until the election is over......but we are standing on the edge of a cliff right now.  That means CUTS and more FEES.  Fees is the preferable word to TAXES but it does have the same result.  

You can bet the government will make cuts and increase revenue through fees a/o taxes.

But where to cut?

The OFA has put the current Liberal leadership and the potential leadership (Mr. Bentley) on notice.  Mr. Bentley needs the rural vote, now more than ever. The OFA needs to protect agriculture from further financial erosion or their organization will be at risk.


Colette McLean said:


Political posturing is usually done to help gain a position or some kind of advantage.  What could OFA possibly gain by going against wind turbines when everything green must be sacrosanct by this McGuinty gov't.  Ever thought that people dealing with these developments are finally fed up and are finally getting a voice.  I commend OFA for having the courage to question the value of supposed "green" energies like wind.  This McGuinty gov't shows contempt for all rural residents, not just farmers  because he knows that it's the city vote that get's him elected. 

Joann said:

I don't believe this is anything more than political posturing.

Our Premier has, in my personal opinion, shown nothing short of contempt towards farmers for the past 9 years.

Ontario is preparing for a budget.  The OFA dealt the first hand.


It will be interesting to see how the government play their cards.

Hey we get it Colette,

You are against windmills because you don't like the look on one on your neighbour's property.  Solar is bad too...come on and give it a rest.

You are likely the same person that a couple of years ago was moaning about Global Warming and that we had to do something.

NIMBY at is finest.

I hope Mark Wales stated his position on this issue before he was elected.  An awfully fast change in position for OFA as the new executive are being briefed on the issues.

 

 

It's always interesting to see how others must define one's reality & launch ad hominens rather then base their opinions on careful examination of the info. which clearly the OFA has done.  Comments like this always end up playing the NIMBY card, never considering that people who are DIRECTLY dealing with these kinds of development have spent years researching, & looking @ both the pros & cons. It's been 5 yrs for me, & the more I read on our energy issues,  the more I see that wind & solar are nothing but a boondoggle.  I know that runs counter to your intuitive thinking Roadrunner, (who obviously doesn't have the courage to use his real name,) and strikes at the heart of your  lack of critical thinking skills. And despite your pre-conceived idea on my stance about Global Warming, even if I did believe in Global Warming , even will all of the thousands of  turbines & solar panels erected, not one coal or NG plant has been shut down and wind with it's pittance of output (25% yearly average @ best)  will only displace 1% of Ontario emissions & provide at best 5% of Ontario's electrical needs.  So you see even the issue about cleaning up our air by shutting down dirty coal is not even true because wind is inefficient, intermittent, unreliable, non dispatchable and requires fossil fuel backup to counter it's fickle power. Again,  I would suggest that you read the AG's (that's Auditor General) report   http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_en/en11/303en11.pdf

 

 Roadrunner said:

Hey we get it Colette,

You are against windmills because you don't like the look on one on your neighbour's property.  Solar is bad too...come on and give it a rest.

You are likely the same person that a couple of years ago was moaning about Global Warming and that we had to do something.

NIMBY at is finest.

I hope Mark Wales stated his position on this issue before he was elected.  An awfully fast change in position for OFA as the new executive are being briefed on the issues.

 

 

It is interesting that you mention the Provincial Auditor.

I will not comment on the sustainability of the wind projects as I do not know the current nor long term status of our energy infrastructure.

I have to question the motives of the recent OFA statement as they, until the very recent past, has been the largest and loudest cheer leaders for most urban mandated Provincial policies in regards to land use.  I don't believe enough research has been done by the organization to make a completely informed opinion on the matter as evident by their recent policy reversal.  I have a suspicion, in my private opinion, that politics cloud their positions.

But everyone is fogetting to ask the basis and foundational questions when it comes to Green Energy in agricultural terms.

Pardon me for borrowing a line from a Hollywood movie but...... the question that needs to be asked is "Who owns the wind"?

The Sovereign granted land patents to qualifying farmers.  In doing so, as in the words of Lt. Gov. Simcoe in his first speech to Parliament in 1792 as the Representative of the Sovereign, he stated that the Sovereign appropriated the "soil and climate" to a special class of people,........ the farmers through signed, signed and registered contracts.  Contracts docketed by the Provincial Auditor.

Farmers were given possession of the climate from the SovereignFarmers have Sovereign rights to the climate and the Auditor must hold that to account as his office legally registered the documents.

Therefore:  If a farmer legally owns a Sovereign contract for possession of the climate in a prescribed geographical area, who am I to say he can or cannot install windmills?

Does the OFA have the legal authority to grant the Province permission to force farmers to harvest the wind?

When a farmer signs a contract for harvesting wind, what is the farmer really giving up?  His Sovereign right to the climate?  I believe so.

The issues around green energy policies are truly, in my opinion, much bigger and deeper than anyone has yet to mention..... and that is where I believe the OFA has truly fallen down.



Colette McLean said:

It's always interesting to see how others must define one's reality & launch ad hominens rather then base their opinions on careful examination of the info. which clearly the OFA has done.  Comments like this always end up playing the NIMBY card, never considering that people who are DIRECTLY dealing with these kinds of development have spent years researching, & looking @ both the pros & cons. It's been 5 yrs for me, & the more I read on our energy issues,  the more I see that wind & solar are nothing but a boondoggle.  I know that runs counter to your intuitive thinking Roadrunner, (who obviously doesn't have the courage to use his real name,) and strikes at the heart of your  lack of critical thinking skills. And despite your pre-conceived idea on my stance about Global Warming, even if I did believe in Global Warming , even will all of the thousands of  turbines & solar panels erected, not one coal or NG plant has been shut down and wind with it's pittance of output (25% yearly average @ best)  will only displace 1% of Ontario emissions & provide at best 5% of Ontario's electrical needs.  So you see even the issue about cleaning up our air by shutting down dirty coal is not even true because wind is inefficient, intermittent, unreliable, non dispatchable and requires fossil fuel backup to counter it's fickle power. Again,  I would suggest that you read the AG's (that's Auditor General) report   http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_en/en11/303en11.pdf

 

Yes, Joann farmers have the rights to their land but you forget is that enacted within the Planning Act are provisions which protect those rights with stipulations to also protect adjoining nearby and abutting land rights.  One's person rights cannot overshadow another's,  that's called democracy which sadly the GEA has thrown out the window.

You dissertation is side tracking the base issue, which is whether gov't policy that is being forced on the Ontario taxpayer and using their tax $$ is sustainable and is providing a return to the PUBLIC.  In the case of wind & solar energy, it is not!  The AG's report clearly questions this because the cost benefit analysis was not done by this McGuinty gov't. 

I would sugges going through this presentation to understand more clearly the problems with wind energy. http://www.slideshare.net/JohnDroz/energy-presentationkey-presentation


Joann said:

It is interesting that you mention the Provincial Auditor.

I will not comment on the sustainability of the wind projects as I do not know the current nor long term status of our energy infrastructure.

I have to question the motives of the recent OFA statement as they, until the very recent past, has been the largest and loudest cheer leaders for most urban mandated Provincial policies in regards to land use.  I don't believe enough research has been done by the organization to make a completely informed opinion on the matter as evident by their recent policy reversal.  I have a suspicion, in my private opinion, that politics cloud their positions.

But everyone is fogetting to ask the basis and foundational questions when it comes to Green Energy in agricultural terms.

Pardon me for borrowing a line from a Hollywood movie but...... the question that needs to be asked is "Who owns the wind"?

The Sovereign granted land patents to qualifying farmers.  In doing so, as in the words of Lt. Gov. Simcoe in his first speech to Parliament in 1792 as the Representative of the Sovereign, he stated that the Sovereign appropriated the "soil and climate" to a special class of people,........ the farmers through signed, signed and registered contracts.  Contracts docketed by the Provincial Auditor.

Farmers were given possession of the climate from the SovereignFarmers have Sovereign rights to the climate and the Auditor must hold that to account as his office legally registered the documents.

Therefore:  If a farmer legally owns a Sovereign contract for possession of the climate in a prescribed geographical area, who am I to say he can or cannot install windmills?

Does the OFA have the legal authority to grant the Province permission to force farmers to harvest the wind?

When a farmer signs a contract for harvesting wind, what is the farmer really giving up?  His Sovereign right to the climate?  I believe so.

The issues around green energy policies are truly, in my opinion, much bigger and deeper than anyone has yet to mention..... and that is where I believe the OFA has truly fallen down.



Colette McLean said:

It's always interesting to see how others must define one's reality & launch ad hominens rather then base their opinions on careful examination of the info. which clearly the OFA has done.  Comments like this always end up playing the NIMBY card, never considering that people who are DIRECTLY dealing with these kinds of development have spent years researching, & looking @ both the pros & cons. It's been 5 yrs for me, & the more I read on our energy issues,  the more I see that wind & solar are nothing but a boondoggle.  I know that runs counter to your intuitive thinking Roadrunner, (who obviously doesn't have the courage to use his real name,) and strikes at the heart of your  lack of critical thinking skills. And despite your pre-conceived idea on my stance about Global Warming, even if I did believe in Global Warming , even will all of the thousands of  turbines & solar panels erected, not one coal or NG plant has been shut down and wind with it's pittance of output (25% yearly average @ best)  will only displace 1% of Ontario emissions & provide at best 5% of Ontario's electrical needs.  So you see even the issue about cleaning up our air by shutting down dirty coal is not even true because wind is inefficient, intermittent, unreliable, non dispatchable and requires fossil fuel backup to counter it's fickle power. Again,  I would suggest that you read the AG's (that's Auditor General) report   http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_en/en11/303en11.pdf

 

I disagree.   The rights farmers have come from the Sovereign.  Not from the Crown in the Right of Ontario.  Not from provincial nor federal legislation. 

The farmers' rights are entrenched in Sovereign contracts.  The contracts are individually awarded rights to farmers long before the collective rights of municipalities were even formed.  

Individual rights trump collective rights.... especially when awarded by the Sovereign.

Land Use Policies regarding agriculture is in a class unto itself.

When the Sovereign appropriated those rights......that means if the Public wishes to encroach on those rights.... they must expropriate the rights or the farmer gives up those rights voluntarily.

Having said that.... it is equally important that farmers ensure that they obtain all pre-land grant contracts that pertain to their specfic piece of land.   What rights did the Crown retain in those Warrants????

The land grant is only one document registered to the land.  There are pre-documents that need to be investigated.... documents the government is not freely supplying to the rightfully affected persons.

Colette McLean said:

Yes, Joann farmers have the rights to their land but you forget is that enacted within the Planning Act are provisions which protect those rights with stipulations to also protect adjoining nearby and abutting land rights.  One's person rights cannot overshadow another's,  that's called democracy which sadly the GEA has thrown out the window.

You dissertation is side tracking the base issue, which is whether gov't policy that is being forced on the Ontario taxpayer and using their tax $$ is sustainable and is providing a return to the PUBLIC.  In the case of wind & solar energy, it is not!  The AG's report clearly questions this because the cost benefit analysis was not done by this McGuinty gov't. 

I would sugges going through this presentation to understand more clearly the problems with wind energy. http://www.slideshare.net/JohnDroz/energy-presentationkey-presentation


Joann said:

It is interesting that you mention the Provincial Auditor.

I will not comment on the sustainability of the wind projects as I do not know the current nor long term status of our energy infrastructure.

I have to question the motives of the recent OFA statement as they, until the very recent past, has been the largest and loudest cheer leaders for most urban mandated Provincial policies in regards to land use.  I don't believe enough research has been done by the organization to make a completely informed opinion on the matter as evident by their recent policy reversal.  I have a suspicion, in my private opinion, that politics cloud their positions.

But everyone is fogetting to ask the basis and foundational questions when it comes to Green Energy in agricultural terms.

Pardon me for borrowing a line from a Hollywood movie but...... the question that needs to be asked is "Who owns the wind"?

The Sovereign granted land patents to qualifying farmers.  In doing so, as in the words of Lt. Gov. Simcoe in his first speech to Parliament in 1792 as the Representative of the Sovereign, he stated that the Sovereign appropriated the "soil and climate" to a special class of people,........ the farmers through signed, signed and registered contracts.  Contracts docketed by the Provincial Auditor.

Farmers were given possession of the climate from the SovereignFarmers have Sovereign rights to the climate and the Auditor must hold that to account as his office legally registered the documents.

Therefore:  If a farmer legally owns a Sovereign contract for possession of the climate in a prescribed geographical area, who am I to say he can or cannot install windmills?

Does the OFA have the legal authority to grant the Province permission to force farmers to harvest the wind?

When a farmer signs a contract for harvesting wind, what is the farmer really giving up?  His Sovereign right to the climate?  I believe so.

The issues around green energy policies are truly, in my opinion, much bigger and deeper than anyone has yet to mention..... and that is where I believe the OFA has truly fallen down.



Colette McLean said:

It's always interesting to see how others must define one's reality & launch ad hominens rather then base their opinions on careful examination of the info. which clearly the OFA has done.  Comments like this always end up playing the NIMBY card, never considering that people who are DIRECTLY dealing with these kinds of development have spent years researching, & looking @ both the pros & cons. It's been 5 yrs for me, & the more I read on our energy issues,  the more I see that wind & solar are nothing but a boondoggle.  I know that runs counter to your intuitive thinking Roadrunner, (who obviously doesn't have the courage to use his real name,) and strikes at the heart of your  lack of critical thinking skills. And despite your pre-conceived idea on my stance about Global Warming, even if I did believe in Global Warming , even will all of the thousands of  turbines & solar panels erected, not one coal or NG plant has been shut down and wind with it's pittance of output (25% yearly average @ best)  will only displace 1% of Ontario emissions & provide at best 5% of Ontario's electrical needs.  So you see even the issue about cleaning up our air by shutting down dirty coal is not even true because wind is inefficient, intermittent, unreliable, non dispatchable and requires fossil fuel backup to counter it's fickle power. Again,  I would suggest that you read the AG's (that's Auditor General) report   http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_en/en11/303en11.pdf

 

 

"When the Sovereign appropriated those rights......that means if the Public wishes to encroach on those rights.... they must expropriate the rights or the farmer gives up those rights voluntarily"

And exactly what do you think has happened Joann with the GEA.  Farmers have given up their rights and entrenched in the contracts they have signed with these wind developers are things like first rights of refusal, postponement of mortages, full easements on not only property, but soil, aggregates, water etc.   Now that time has passed, the consequences of these green projects on ones property are showing up.  Have a look at the Ontario Real Estate Association recent info. on addressing properties with "green" energy projects installed.  

 I do agree with you that there is a  much bigger issue on "sovereign" land rights that is being ignored.

The new Green Energy clauses are:

  • GREEN-1: Condition – MicroFIT Contract
  • GREEN-2: Acknowledgement – MicroFIT Contract
  • GREEN-3: Decommissioning Renewable Energy Facility
  • GREEN-4: Renewable Energy Projects
  • GREEN-5: Wind Turbines – Warranty

The first two clauses deals with the microFIT stream of the provincial government’s Feed-In Tariff program for renewable energy generation, launched in September 2009. The program is operated by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).

MicroFIT is designed to encourage homeowners and businesses to generate renewable energy with projects of 10 kilowatts or less. Homeowners and businesses must apply to the OPA to participate in the program. For more information, go to http://microfit.powerauthority.on.ca.

Clause GREEN-1 provides the buyer with the opportunity to review the terms of an existing microFIT contract on the property, if applicable. Clause GREEN-2 confirms the buyer has reviewed the microFIT contract, if applicable.

The balance of the clauses confirms/warrants the following:

•  GREEN-3 – confirms that the buyer understands he/she may be responsible for decommissioning the renewable energy installation at expense of the property owner

•  GREEN 4 – confirms that the buyer is aware of proposed or existing renewable energy projects in the area

•  GREEN 5 – warrants that the seller is not aware of any renewable energy projects for the immediate area

Clause GREEN-5 can be altered to reference solar energy collectors.

Green energy is a complicated topic. REALTORS® must be prepared to create specific clauses to deal with unique circumstances as they arise. In addition, REALTORS® should be aware that renewable energy installations can affect the insurability of a property, and clauses may be required to verify the insurability of the property.

For More Information

The clauses are posted in the Members Only section of OREA’s website (www.orea.com).


Joann said:

I disagree.   The rights farmers have come from the Sovereign.  Not from the Crown in the Right of Ontario.  Not from provincial nor federal legislation. 

The farmers' rights are entrenched in Sovereign contracts.  The contracts are individually awarded rights to farmers long before the collective rights of municipalities were even formed.  

Individual rights trump collective rights.... especially when awarded by the Sovereign.

Land Use Policies regarding agriculture is in a class unto itself.

When the Sovereign appropriated those rights......that means if the Public wishes to encroach on those rights.... they must expropriate the rights or the farmer gives up those rights voluntarily.

Having said that.... it is equally important that farmers ensure that they obtain all pre-land grant contracts that pertain to their specfic piece of land.   What rights did the Crown retain in those Warrants????

The land grant is only one document registered to the land.  There are pre-documents that need to be investigated.... documents the government is not freely supplying to the rightfully affected persons.

Colette McLean said:

Yes, Joann farmers have the rights to their land but you forget is that enacted within the Planning Act are provisions which protect those rights with stipulations to also protect adjoining nearby and abutting land rights.  One's person rights cannot overshadow another's,  that's called democracy which sadly the GEA has thrown out the window.

You dissertation is side tracking the base issue, which is whether gov't policy that is being forced on the Ontario taxpayer and using their tax $$ is sustainable and is providing a return to the PUBLIC.  In the case of wind & solar energy, it is not!  The AG's report clearly questions this because the cost benefit analysis was not done by this McGuinty gov't. 

I would sugges going through this presentation to understand more clearly the problems with wind energy. http://www.slideshare.net/JohnDroz/energy-presentationkey-presentation


Joann said:

It is interesting that you mention the Provincial Auditor.

I will not comment on the sustainability of the wind projects as I do not know the current nor long term status of our energy infrastructure.

I have to question the motives of the recent OFA statement as they, until the very recent past, has been the largest and loudest cheer leaders for most urban mandated Provincial policies in regards to land use.  I don't believe enough research has been done by the organization to make a completely informed opinion on the matter as evident by their recent policy reversal.  I have a suspicion, in my private opinion, that politics cloud their positions.

But everyone is fogetting to ask the basis and foundational questions when it comes to Green Energy in agricultural terms.

Pardon me for borrowing a line from a Hollywood movie but...... the question that needs to be asked is "Who owns the wind"?

The Sovereign granted land patents to qualifying farmers.  In doing so, as in the words of Lt. Gov. Simcoe in his first speech to Parliament in 1792 as the Representative of the Sovereign, he stated that the Sovereign appropriated the "soil and climate" to a special class of people,........ the farmers through signed, signed and registered contracts.  Contracts docketed by the Provincial Auditor.

Farmers were given possession of the climate from the SovereignFarmers have Sovereign rights to the climate and the Auditor must hold that to account as his office legally registered the documents.

Therefore:  If a farmer legally owns a Sovereign contract for possession of the climate in a prescribed geographical area, who am I to say he can or cannot install windmills?

Does the OFA have the legal authority to grant the Province permission to force farmers to harvest the wind?

When a farmer signs a contract for harvesting wind, what is the farmer really giving up?  His Sovereign right to the climate?  I believe so.

The issues around green energy policies are truly, in my opinion, much bigger and deeper than anyone has yet to mention..... and that is where I believe the OFA has truly fallen down.



Colette McLean said:

It's always interesting to see how others must define one's reality & launch ad hominens rather then base their opinions on careful examination of the info. which clearly the OFA has done.  Comments like this always end up playing the NIMBY card, never considering that people who are DIRECTLY dealing with these kinds of development have spent years researching, & looking @ both the pros & cons. It's been 5 yrs for me, & the more I read on our energy issues,  the more I see that wind & solar are nothing but a boondoggle.  I know that runs counter to your intuitive thinking Roadrunner, (who obviously doesn't have the courage to use his real name,) and strikes at the heart of your  lack of critical thinking skills. And despite your pre-conceived idea on my stance about Global Warming, even if I did believe in Global Warming , even will all of the thousands of  turbines & solar panels erected, not one coal or NG plant has been shut down and wind with it's pittance of output (25% yearly average @ best)  will only displace 1% of Ontario emissions & provide at best 5% of Ontario's electrical needs.  So you see even the issue about cleaning up our air by shutting down dirty coal is not even true because wind is inefficient, intermittent, unreliable, non dispatchable and requires fossil fuel backup to counter it's fickle power. Again,  I would suggest that you read the AG's (that's Auditor General) report   http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_en/en11/303en11.pdf

 

If the realtors, as you state should be aware "green" clauses..... then it stands to reason that realtors should also know about the "warrants" that were applied to agricultural lands by the Sovereign.

or are you being selective in suggesting what realtors should be aware of?

Colette McLean said:

 

"When the Sovereign appropriated those rights......that means if the Public wishes to encroach on those rights.... they must expropriate the rights or the farmer gives up those rights voluntarily"

And exactly what do you think has happened Joann with the GEA.  Farmers have given up their rights and entrenched in the contracts they have signed with these wind developers are things like first rights of refusal, postponement of mortages, full easements on not only property, but soil, aggregates, water etc.   Now that time has passed, the consequences of these green projects on ones property are showing up.  Have a look at the Ontario Real Estate Association recent info. on addressing properties with "green" energy projects installed.  

 I do agree with you that there is a  much bigger issue on "sovereign" land rights that is being ignored.

The new Green Energy clauses are:

  • GREEN-1: Condition – MicroFIT Contract
  • GREEN-2: Acknowledgement – MicroFIT Contract
  • GREEN-3: Decommissioning Renewable Energy Facility
  • GREEN-4: Renewable Energy Projects
  • GREEN-5: Wind Turbines – Warranty

The first two clauses deals with the microFIT stream of the provincial government’s Feed-In Tariff program for renewable energy generation, launched in September 2009. The program is operated by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).

Realtors are only becoming aware of the implications green energy projects are having on the sales of land.  The  info. I provided is recent.  I am not suggesting that realtors should be selective, only truthful and knowledgeable of the ramifications "green" projects are having ag. lands.    I apologize but I do not understand your line of questioning nor do I understand why "warrants" or "sovereignty"  is of such importance to the energy issue when what needs to be considered, in deciding to go forward with alternative energies like wind, is whether it is  a technically, economically and enironmentally sound solution to our energy problems.  After 5 yrs of examining this,  it is NOT and it appears that OFA concurs by asking the provincial gov't that it  examine  wind development and that further construction be halted until outstanding issues such as land succession,   and the inefficiencies of wind, are addressed. 

 


Joann said:

If the realtors, as you state should be aware "green" clauses..... then it stands to reason that realtors should also know about the "warrants" that were applied to agricultural lands by the Sovereign.

or are you being selective in suggesting what realtors should be aware of?

Colette McLean said:

 

"When the Sovereign appropriated those rights......that means if the Public wishes to encroach on those rights.... they must expropriate the rights or the farmer gives up those rights voluntarily"

And exactly what do you think has happened Joann with the GEA.  Farmers have given up their rights and entrenched in the contracts they have signed with these wind developers are things like first rights of refusal, postponement of mortages, full easements on not only property, but soil, aggregates, water etc.   Now that time has passed, the consequences of these green projects on ones property are showing up.  Have a look at the Ontario Real Estate Association recent info. on addressing properties with "green" energy projects installed.  

 I do agree with you that there is a  much bigger issue on "sovereign" land rights that is being ignored.

The new Green Energy clauses are:

  • GREEN-1: Condition – MicroFIT Contract
  • GREEN-2: Acknowledgement – MicroFIT Contract
  • GREEN-3: Decommissioning Renewable Energy Facility
  • GREEN-4: Renewable Energy Projects
  • GREEN-5: Wind Turbines – Warranty

The first two clauses deals with the microFIT stream of the provincial government’s Feed-In Tariff program for renewable energy generation, launched in September 2009. The program is operated by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).

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Producers learn new ways to optimize harvest at EMILI’s annual Producer Day

Producers only get one chance at harvest, and to get the most possible yield from their crop their combine needs to be calibrated just right. This is what brought close to 50 producers, from across Manitoba and as far as Quebec, to EMILI’s Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert on June 11, 2025 for EMILI’s Producer Day with Bushel Plus Harvest Academy. Attendees learned more about their machines and how to calibrate various combines to reduce yield loss during harvest. The day was jam-packed with information and featured a mix of classroom-style learning that took place inside the shop at Innovation Farms centre, and demonstrations on Claas, Case IH and John Deere combines, with plenty of opportunities for interactive, hands-on instruction with experts from Bushel Plus. Marcel Kringe, founder and CEO of Bushel Plus, and Tyson Sanderson, product specialist at Bushel Plus, walked attendees through the inner workings of several parts of the combine, including the header, threshing system

Rapid Crop Emergence Offsets Slow Moisture Rebound

Alberta’s 2025 crop is off to a flying start, with emergence and early development well ahead of schedule across the province — but dwindling moisture reserves are starting to cast a shadow. According to the latest crop report, emergence for major crops has reached 95%, outpacing both the five-year (84%) and ten-year (86%) averages. Spring wheat and dry peas are nearly fully emerged (100%), while barley (96%), canola (89%), and oats (85%) are all well ahead of seasonal norms. Crops aren’t just emerging fast — they’re developing faster than usual, too. Spring wheat and barley have already entered mid-tillering stages, when early tillering is more typical for this time of year. Oats are showing late-stage leaf development, again a jump ahead of the five- and ten-year benchmarks. Dry Conditions Raising Red Flags Despite the impressive start, soil moisture is not keeping pace, especially in deeper layers now crucial for sustaining the crop’s rapid development. Provincial surface moistur

Montana Spring Wheat Rating Still in Decline

The US spring wheat crop has rebounded from its second worst start to the growing season on record, but things are still going downhill in Montana. Monday’s USDA crop progress report pegged the Montana spring wheat crop at just 16% good to excellent as of Sunday, down from 25% the previous week and now 20 points below the season’s first condition rating on May 26. As shown on the graphic below, it is the worst start for the spring wheat crop in the state since 2022, when an overly wet and late start to the growing season meant only 15% of the Montana crop was rated good to excellent in the first spring wheat condition report on June 12. This year, it is the exact opposite problem for the Montana spring wheat crop, which is struggling amid dryness and drought. According to the latest US drought monitor, more than half of Montana (59%) was being impacted by some form of drought as of June 10, the highest since November 2024. (In 2021, the Montana spring wheat crop started better bu

New University of Manitoba Research Chair Named to Advance Beef Production Sustainability

Thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), the University of Manitoba (UM), along with its partners at Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Agriculture, and Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives, is proud to announce the establishment of the BCRC Chair in Beef Cattle Economic Sustainability. “It’s important for our industry to understand beneficial management practices that boost productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability—including those related to greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and biodiversity,” said Craig Lehr, BCRC chair and Alberta beef producer. “This new Chair will focus on viable solutions for Canadian beef cattle producers with innovations that improve economic sustainability while reducing environmental footprint.” The beef industry faces mounting challenges, including volatile input costs, climate-related risks, and limited access to equitable risk management tools. These pressures have made it increasingly

It’s Local Food Week!

A week of celebrating fresh, healthy, and local Canadian food is here! Local Food Week is a time to recognize the hardworking farmers who grow the food we enjoy every day. It also encourages us to think about the impact of our choices as consumers.

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