LETTER: Time running out for premier Ford to shut down Bala Falls hydro plant
DEAR EDITOR:
Muskoka residents have fought long and hard to stop the construction of the highly contentious Bala Falls hydroelectric plant.
They found an important ally in Ontario Premier Doug Ford but fear soon it may be too late if the premier and government don’t act quickly.
On Feb. 27, 2018, then-candidate Doug Ford addressed a crowd of Muskoka Lakes residents in Bala and made a promise to “drill down and find out who is part of the big scam.
“I’m the only candidate that will fight for this community. As premier I will clean up this mess. I will be back here in this same spot and we will stop this project,” he said during the election campaign.
Since Mr. Ford’s speech, the controversial project has continued unabated and appears to have been accelerated by the Ontario Liberals and the proponent, who donated tens of thousands of dollars to the former government’s political party, while seeking approvals from them.
Meanwhile, the proponent appears to have sped up the project’s development in an attempt to thwart any effort by the newly elected Premier to keep his promise.
A recent update from the proponent indicated that the first major water turbine components had arrived at the site and were to be embedded in concrete.
Urgent action will be required to prevent further degradation of the landscape adjacent to the falls.
“I remember the premier’s words like he spoke them yesterday. He was clear that he would get to the bottom of this scam project, and that he would kill it dead. I’ve put my faith in Doug Ford and am desperate for him to keep his word to Muskoka voters.” said Martin Ford, a Bala business owner.
“Premier Ford is the first politician to truly understand the issues this power plant will bring,” added Bill Purkis, another local business owner
“We were thrilled when he stood up to the elites who have been pushing this project for over a decade and said ‘enough is enough’ and that he would cancel it. The government needs to move quickly to keep his promise.”
The proponent is determined to complete the construction on an expedited schedule despite premier Ford’s stated intention. The window of opportunity is rapidly closing so it is crucial that the Premier take swift, decisive and immediate action to stop the hostile takeover of Bala’s most valuable asset.
Save the Bala Falls is actively working on solutions and is hopeful the government will take them up on their offer to work with the province to cancel this dangerous, poorly thought out project.
SaveTheBalaFalls.com
