LONDON, Ont. – A packed Ontario court is hearing arguments that legislation related to the possible health effects of wind turbines is unconstitutional.
As evidence for that claim, 14 community groups say the province’s Environmental Review Tribunal has never accepted the possibility that turbines can cause harm.
Their lawyer says that amounts to a cumulative violation of the Charter of Rights.
The coalition of community groups is trying to intervene in the appeal against several large-scale wind farms.
Lambton County is also seeking to intervene, saying the province has usurped municipal rights when it comes to wind turbines.
Several families are before Divisional Court arguing provincial legislation does not allow for proper consideration of the potential health impacts of the turbines.
This is the first constitutional challenge to Ontario’s Green Energy Act to reach the appellate court level.