By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Despite public pressure, Chatham-Kent will not be designated as an “unwilling host” to future wind turbine development.
At its Nov. 3 meeting council voted against revisiting the issue, which stopped a motion put forward by Chatham Coun. Amy Finn in its tracks.
Her motion was to see Chatham-Kent join more than 150 Ontario municipalities that are saying no to wind turbines.
Because the “unwilling host” issue had been raised by North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville in 2024 and voted down, a two-third vote was needed to bring Finn’s motion to the floor to reconsider.
Of the 17 councillors present, 11 voted in favour of revisiting the matter, including councillors Conor Allin, Lauren Anderson, Michael Bondy, Carmen McGregor, Anthony Ceccacci, Ryan Doyle, Amy Finn, Jamie McGrail, Alysson Storey, John Wright and Jubenville.
The six councillors voting against reopening the issue included Marjorie Crew, Brock McGregor, Aaron Hall, Melissa Harrigan, Trevor Thompson and Mayor Darrin Canniff. Councillor Morena McDonald was absent.
As a result, the motion failed by one vote, as 12 votes were necessary.
Earlier in the meeting, a handful of deputations were presented, asking council to deem Chatham-Kent an unwilling host to wind turbine projects. Following the decision to forego revisiting the matter, which negated Finn’s motion, an unidentified man in the council chamber audience shouted out “Shame on you; shame on you.”
