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3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Power plant opponents skeptical about delay Continued from page 1 and being informed by local communities," said Chin. "We think there are places here where our programs can actually help to clean the air in the southwest GTA." The decision to delay the awarding of the power plant contract followed widespread community protests about the plant's proposed locations. Some are seeing the delay as a victory and are calling on residents to continue driving home the `no power plant' message. "There can be no citizen let-up and the next month is now a further opportunity to demonstrate this community's resolve that there be no power plant added to this airshed. Furthermore, existing toxic pollutants must be reduced," said Dorothy Tomiuk, in an e-mail to other members of the Mississauga Residents' Associations Network. Other residents' groups are viewing the delay as neither a victory nor an opportunity, but rather as a ruse intended to placate those who have concerns about the power plant. "I think it looks like a political ploy more than anything. I mean what are they going to do in a month that they haven't done in five years?" said Doug MacKenzie, leader of the Chartwell-Maple Grove Residents' "I think it looks like a political ploy more than anything. I mean what are they going to do in a month that they haven't done in five years?" Doug MacKenzie, Chartwell-Maple Grove Residents' Association Association. "It's kind of like them saying, `Look we're listening to the community, but we're still going to build the thing.'" MacKenzie went on to question why the decision to build the power plant was not being re-examined by the OPA, since the demand for electricity in Ontario has actually gone down as a result of the recession. For Ron Fiorelli, leader of the Joshua Creek Residents' Association, the OPA announcement is an admission by the McGuinty government that it knows there is an air quality problem in the Clarkson Airshed. He also sees the announcement as a sign the Province is going to do nothing about this and is going to build the power plant despite the pollutants that, Fiorelli says, will be added to the airshed. "I think this delay is nothing more than a way for them to buy some time and extract some concessions. They have to look good on paper to defend their actions," said Fiorelli. "It's just something to give them some PR points." Oakville Mayor Rob Burton greeted the announcement with more optimism. "They've promised cleaner air. That's what we've always wanted. It's the Government of Ontario, so I take them at their word," he said. When asked if one month was enough time to generate plans to control the area's emissions, Chin noted that it was because others have been working on this problem long before now. "There are a lot of things that the OPA does with industries to help them be more efficient and emit less," said Chin. "Lots of our programs can help in areas where other ministries may be leading. There are ways we can help and so we are going to examine those types of programs over the next few weeks and then we'll be in a position where we can propose something concrete to go with the replacement power that's needed." MacKenzie has not ruled out the possibility of holding another protest in September to demonstrate the public's opposition to the power plant. Fiorelli is also rallying his association's "They've promised cleaner air. That's what we've always wanted. It's the Government of Ontario, so I take them at their word." Mayor Rob Burton members, but he has doubts the McGuinty government can ultimately be stopped from going ahead with this power plant. "I don't feel very optimistic on this direction that they've (the McGuinty government) taken," said Fiorelli. "They are on this course and my only wish is that the communities affected by this will make them pay the price when the time comes." At the end of the day, the power plant could be built in one of four locations. If TransCanada is granted the contract, the Oakville Generating Station will be established on the Ford-owned property of 1500 Royal Windsor Dr. If any of the other companies are successful in their bids, the power plant will be established just across the Oakville/ Mississauga border in the Clarkson area. A STORY OF STYLE Let our designers and product selection take you to another place. Kids & adults get active at the Y. Get a membership, get fit! Elegance, Stylish, Sophisticated, or Sleek We can transform any space! 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