Council Declares Malahide an "Unwilling Host" for Industrial Wind Turbines

At its June 5th meeting, Malahide Township Council held a recorded vote on the issue of industrial wind turbine projects. All members voted in favour of declaring Malahide an “Unwilling Host” under the current provincial procurement framework.

The motion passed was as follows:

THAT Report CAO-25-04 entitled “Approval Process for Wind Energy Projects in the Township of Malahide” be received for information;

WHEREAS the Township of Malahide is committed to safeguarding the health, safety, environment, agricultural integrity, and overall well-being of its residents; and

WHEREAS industrial wind turbine developments may negatively impact:

Public health, with reports of sleep disturbances, noise-related stress, and other adverse effects;
Property values, particularly in proximity to turbine installations;
Agricultural operations, including interference with crop production, livestock behavior, aerial spraying, and productive land use due to setbacks and access roads;
Water resources, where construction may pose risks to groundwater, aquifers, and private wells;
Environmental ecosystems, through disruption of wildlife habitats and migratory paths;

AND WHEREAS the procurement of electrical energy is the responsibility of the Province of Ontario;

AND WHEREAS the current Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) procurement process requires a Municipal Support Resolution before an application can proceed, yet provides municipalities with limited information about the full impacts of proposed energy projects at that stage;

AND WHEREAS municipalities are not resourced with the technical expertise or capacity to responsibly assess long-term impacts on agriculture, health, and the environment prior to issuing a Municipal Support Resolution;

AND WHEREAS while the current process mandates an Agricultural Impact Assessment, it is not required until after a contract is issued — leaving municipalities to make premature decisions without adequate information;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Malahide declares itself an “Unwilling Host” for industrial wind turbine projects under the current provincial procurement framework;

AND THAT the Township will not provide Municipal Support Resolutions for any such projects until the procurement process is revised to ensure:

Full Agricultural, Health, and Environmental Impact Assessments are completed prior to municipal endorsement;
Municipalities are provided with adequate data, timelines, and consultation resources to make informed decisions;
Local autonomy and planning authority are meaningfully respected in energy project approvals;

AND THAT this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the local MPP, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO);

AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be made publicly available through the municipal website and local communications channels to ensure transparency and community awareness.