Controversy surrounds proposal for multi-billion-dollar energy storage facility in Meaford
A contentious proposal to bring a multi-billion-dollar energy storage facility to Meaford sparked protests as residents packed into municipal chambers on Monday to voice concerns over its potential environmental impact.
The proposal, brought forward by Alberta-based TC Energy, outlines plans for a pumped storage facility on military land in Meaford, with projected costs now exceeding $4 billion.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"Stop the project," said Kellie Haslam with the Save Georgian Bay Association.
The association and four municipalities along Georgian Bay have urged the province to halt the project, citing concerns about its impact on freshwater ecosystems and endangered species.
The province pushed back its approval to the summer after the independent Electricity System Operator stated the project couldn't provide net benefits to Ontario's electricity systems or ratepayers as is.
Councillors sought to create a citizens advisory committee, with protestors aiming to ensure TC Energy didn't have a seat at the table - which wasn't guaranteed after pushback from the company earlier this month.
"I want you all to know that I have a very balanced approach," stated Meaford Councillor Tony Bell, which ultimately led to TC Energy's exclusion from the committee.
Mayor Ross Kentner acknowledged residents' concerns when it seemed the committee wouldn't represent the community's interests.
"When it appeared for a while that it wasn't going to be a community committee, then naturally, they're upset," the mayor noted.
Residents saw the exclusion of TC Energy as a small victory, though some, like Clair Balfour, felt opposition to the project was diluted.
"The committee was then radically changed," said Balfour.
Specific group mentions, such as the Save Georgian Bay Association, were removed, and the number of councillor members increased from one to two.
"I was kind of disappointed to see that members of council wishing to have, in fact, two votes, one at the committee level and one as a council," the mayor added.
An amendment to give councillors voting power during committee meetings was defeated, but their voices will still be heard during meetings.
The municipality's deadline to appoint committee members has been extended to March 8, with more than 10 applicants already vying for positions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977053.1721909931!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
LIVE UPDATES 'Hopefully it's better than what we're thinking': Jasper wildfire damage details anxiously awaited
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Loblaw to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. say they have agreed to pay $500 million to settle a pair of class-action lawsuits regarding their involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme.
EXCLUSIVE One address, 76 foreign currency dealers: Inside Canada's money service business 'clusters'
An IJF and CTV News investigation has found dozens of cases across Canada where multiple money services businesses (MSBs) are incorporated at the same address, sometimes without the knowledge or consent of the location's actual occupant. One money laundering expert calls it an 'abuse of the system.'