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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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Soybean Fungicide Decisions

As soybean crops move into flowering, questions are sure to be raised about whether fungicide applications are needed. In anticipation, let’s take a closer look at the potential disease threats and what Manitoba On-Farm Network research has told us. What Should We Be Concerned About? Foliar diseases infecting soybeans in Manitoba typically occur at low severity levels and are not expected to impact yield most years. These usually include bacterial blight, downy mildew and Septoria brown spot. Stem diseases generally have a greater impact on yield. White mould: infections begin at nodes along the main stem. Wilted plants may be spotted from afar, within a humid canopy may find white mycelial growth and black sclerotia bodies later in the season. This disease is the main target of fungicide applications. Cool, wet conditions throughout July and August favour white mould. For every 10% increase in the percent of plants infected with white mould, 2-5 bu/ac of yield are lost in soybeans.

Fungicide Decision Tool for Managing Mycosphaerella Blight in Field Peas

When your peas have reached V10 (10th node stage), it is an ideal time to start scouting each field to evaluate if a fungicide application to manage Mycosphaerella blight is warranted. Continue scouting for symptoms from V10 (10th true node) to R2 (beginning bloom), during mid-June to late July. Mycosphaerella (Ascochyta) blight is the most widespread and economically damaging foliar disease of Manitoba field peas. Peas are the single host crop of Mycosphaerella but it can be managed by foliar fungicide. This pathogen can be stubble-, air-, soil- and seed-borne. Spores can travel long distances by air, meaning there is a disease risk even in fields where peas have not been grown previously. The impact of disease severity on yield will depend on how early the disease sets in and how quickly it progresses into the upper crop canopy. Early infections during the bloom to early/mid-pod stages cause the most damage if left untreated. Use this fungicide decision worksheet when scouting to

Manitoba pork, canola producers hold steady amid heavy tariffs

A slab of back bacon from Natural Raised Pork comes with a waitlist. Ian Smith points to tariffs. Since the United States placed levies on imports from Canada, Manitobans have increasingly been calling Smith about his farm near Argyle, some 40 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. “There’s more people wanting to support local and I’m one of few people that do what I’m doing,” said Smith, 62. He estimates 90 per cent of his pork products are bought by Manitoba households; the latter goes to a packing plant. Last year, it was a 50-50 split. Smith works alone, hustling to meet the four-to-six week waitlist that’s accumulated. He keeps hundreds of feeder pigs and a couple dozen sows; it’s a relatively small operation, he noted. “If there’s any mistakes to be made, there’s only one person to blame and that’s me,” he said with a laugh. Smith doesn’t export to China — so he’s shielded from that nation’s levies still hanging over the Canadian industry.

KAP Welcomes Appointment of New U.S. Trade Representative

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) welcomes the appointment of Richard Madan as Manitoba’s new trade representative to the United States. “We commend Premier Kinew and Minister Moses for making Manitoba’s voice a priority in Washington, D.C.,” said KAP President Jill Verwey. “We look forward to working with Mr. Madan to advance the interests of Manitoba farmers and the agricultural industry, ensuring these interests are at the forefront of his work as he forges stronger relationships with American policymakers and trade officials.” Agriculture is an important part of Manitoba’s economy, with $4.29 billion in agri-food exports to the U.S. alone in 2024, and KAP sees the new presence in Washington as instrumental in fostering strategic relationships with key states that are important to our trade interests. “The U.S. is Manitoba’s largest agri-food export destination and is one of Manitoba’s key trading partners on the international stage,” added KAP General Manager Colin Hornby. “

2025 Annual General Meeting

On Wednesday, June 18th, the Ontario Farmland Trust hosted its Annual General Meeting. The meeting was held hybrid again this year, with members and friends joining both virtually and in person.

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