Dean Fitzsimmons and Victoria Cunningham
Submission to Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study, 2012
Dear Minister Aglukkaq:
We thank you for the announcement of the health study with respect to industrial wind turbines and health problems that are reported by so many people all over the world! And, for your recognition that there is a dire need for a study. In consideration of this, we would like to strongly suggest that the study be more equitably designed at an arm’s length, perhaps by the ‘Canadian Institute of Health Research’ or ‘Public Health Agency of Canada’ which would be considered to be more suitable and without threat of/or perceived bias as worthwhile and needed as this study is.
The world will be watching for the results of this study as wind power is dying in Europe and the build-up of mountains of toxic blades and old turbines mounting up with no safe recycling process known or developed at this time is compounding this problem. This too can pose significant serious health issues for humans.
Prime Minister Cameron in the UK has promised to give communities ‘more say’ as to siting. One hundred Conservative MP’s recently wrote to Prime Minister Cameron demanding that all subsidies of 400 million pounds per year be drastically cut. They also called for ‘planning’ laws to be ‘tightened” allowing residents to stand up to the developers. In Australia new rules give residents a veto within a certain range over turbine sitings. Canada must give the same care and attention to the citizens here!
In the beautiful Maritimes, where we reside, projects are being shut down by municipal council’s who are listening to the voices of their constituents. It is time for our federal government to heed our voices and we commend you for taking this first important step.
As pristine places like Campobello Island become more precious and valuable, destinations with healthy and sustainable environments will become increasingly desirable as places to visit. The proposed industrial wind turbine proposed for Campobello Island, to be sited in a populated area is unacceptable to the residents of Welshpool and many on the island. Our Council will not budge and without consultation or advisement sent a letter of “commitment” to the land owner who is not a Canadian citizen/resident who plans to erect a turbine in the middle of our historic village which will force us all to move due to adverse health effects, and which will de-valuate our properties which will be a huge monetary hardship, and which will destroy tourism and the island economy! Not to mention massacre birds and bats as we are in the important Atlantic migratory flight path!
We most respectfully ask that you consider the costs in terms of quality of life, health, property values, the environment and risk to hosting communities! Is it worth the lives of Canadians?
We further recommend that you consider the following list of expert consultants to be added to the panel who will be compiling the data.
As follows:
Dr. Carl Phillips, PhD, M.P.P., Epidemiology and Public Policy
Carmen Krogh, BScPharm
Dr. Michael Nissenbaum, M.D., USA
Dr. Robert Thorne, PhD, Health Sciences and Acoustics, Australia
Richard James, INCE Acoustician, USA
Dr. Christopher Hanning, M.D., FRCA, MRCS, LRCP, Sleep Specialist, UK
Dr. Robert McMurtry, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C), F.A.C.S., Canada
Dr Arline Bronzaft, PhD, Noise and Health Specialist, USA
Dr. Jeffery Armmini, PhD, Epidemiologist, Canada
Dr. Daniel Shepherd, PhD, Noise and Health Specialist, New Zealand
Dr. Sarah Laurie, CEO, Waubra Foundation, Australia
Dr. Nina Pierpont, Author of “The Wind Turbine Syndrome”, USA
Dr. Mauri Johansson, Specialist in Community Health and Occupational Medicine, Denmark,
Profesor Henrik Moeller, Acoustic Specialist, Denmark
We also respectfully ask that you ensure that all health concerns recorded by so many who are suffering, and by those who have lost their homes – their equity – quality of life – devaluation of property – all who are so adversely affected by industrial wind turbines. The health implications are devastating to Canadians as well as the subsequent raise in power rates which are hardest on those suffering the most, and combined with all the other negative implications such as the mind bending effects of “flicker”, infra sound (low frequency), along with relentless audible sound that so many Canadians are now subjected to because of these turbines, it behooves our government to make sure that this study is not connected to or with wind proponents or with wind energy companies who would not be in operation were it not for tax incentives and/or government subsidies!
This study must not be considered in terms of dollars, but rather in terms of health cost to human beings as well as to the environment which is so very precious to so many Canadians who love this wonderful land. The ruthless plundering of our landscapes, the total disregard for human and wildlife is evident in the wind companies who push their wind turbines into our communities, often picking the most vulnerable, seniors, infirm and disabled, low income and quiet rural areas as their target!
This is against our human rights as Canadians and it also invokes the Canadian Charter of rights and Freedoms, being Part 1 of the Constitution Act, 1982 which confers specific rights and freedoms on all Canadians……(goes on to state)….which said rights are protected by all levels of government, including the Municipal Government Ministers, ministries, Agencies and Municipalities who have an ethical duty and legal obligation to protect the health, safety, quality of life and well being of citizens and their properties.”
The world will be watching for the results of this study as wind power is dying in Europe and the build-up of mountains of blades and old turbines mounting up with no safe recycling process known or developed at this time. This too can pose significant serious health issues for humans. Prime Minister Cameron in the UK has promised to give communities ‘more say’ as to siting. One hundred conservative MP’s recently wrote to Prime Minister Cameron demanding that all subsidies of 400 million pounds per year be drastically cut. They also called for ‘planning’ laws to be ‘tightened” allowing residents to stand up to the developers. In Australia new rules give residents a “veto” within a certain range over turbine sitings. Canada must give the same care and attention to the citizens here!
In the beautiful Maritimes, where we reside, residents are demanding that wind turbine projects be shut down. It is time for our government to listen to our voices and we commend you for taking this first step.
As pristine places like Campobello Island become more and more precious and valuable, destinations with healthy and sustainable environments will become increasingly desirable as places to visit and enjoy. The proposed industrial wind turbine for Campobello Island, to be sited in a populated area is unacceptable to the residents of Welshpool and many on the island. We rely on tourism. The beauty of our Maritimes is what draws visitors to this island and beyond!
We all must consider the cost in terms of quality of life, health, property values, the environment and risk to hosting communities! Is it worth their lives?
In addition, we call for a moratorium – full stop of any wind turbine projects in stages of pre-planning, planning, halfway through erecting or nearly complete until such time as the study reveals the data which is scheduled for 2014. We feel that this is a very reasonable request and look to you for leadership.
Personally speaking; My husband is a retired Chief Warrant Officer who retired after thirty-five years of service to his country and who was an explosive expert who taught the RCMP as well as the armed forces this trade. He has sustained severe inner ear nerve damage, has tinnitus, is highly intolerable to sound, and experiences Menieres disease type symptoms. We will be forced to move if the project goes through on Campobello Island, and this will have a serious impact on our lives as we have a lot of equity in our home and property and nobody will want to buy it being so close to a wind project. Our back porch is about ½ mile from the site. My husband is 76 years of age and deserves more after risking his life for his country! Why should we be forced to move?
We again ask you to place a moratorium on all wind turbine projects on Campobello Island and New Brunswick and the rest of Canada, until such time as the study results are available.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter, and thank your service to this country. We await your response at your earliest convenience,
Yours truly,
Dean Fitzsimmons - Retired Chief Warrant Officer - RCAF
& Victoria Cunningham
10 North Road, Welshpool,
Campobello Island, N.B.
E5E 1C1
mermie/nb.sympatico.ca