To the Editor,
Steve Bartley’s recent statement in support of TC Energy’s pumped storage proposal is deeply troubling—not only for its sweeping endorsement of a project fraught with environmental and safety risks, but for its careless dismissal of community concerns as mere “NIMBYism”.
Bartley claims the project “could be the saving grace for the Meaford Municipality,” yet fails to acknowledge that the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has already rejected the proposal twice—once in 2021 and again in 2023—for being too costly. What other reasons lie beneath the surface? Perhaps the cost to build a lake-size reservoir and subway-size tunnels on karst, which threatens the integrity of the reservoir and inlets, or the contaminated military base on which the facility would be built—right in the middle of an active training ground where soldiers practice with explosives and heavy equipment.
This is not a backyard issue. It’s a regional concern that affects the delicate ecosystems of Georgian Bay, the drinking water of nearby residents, and the long-term safety of our community. Bartley’s assertion that “this technology won’t kill any fish” is a gross oversimplification. What about the endangered species, the turbidity, and the contaminants that could leach into the bay and spread far beyond Meaford?
The promise of a Community Benefit Agreement—negotiated behind closed doors—is being dangled like a gift horse. But as history reminds us, the Trojan Horse brought not prosperity, but destruction. We must ask: At what cost?
Responsible leadership demands transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and respect for the voices of concerned citizens. Bartley’s remarks do not meet that standard. If anything, they risk misleading the very constituency he was elected to serve.
Sincerely,
Lino Zita, Meaford
