Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX — In a packed council chamber on August 13, the residents of Southwest Middlesex made their voices heard. After weeks of heated debate, petitions, and community mobilization, council voted unanimously to declare the municipality “Not a Willing Host” for industrial wind turbine developments.
The vote followed Venfor Inc.’s proposal to build 17 wind turbines across selected properties in the municipality, each projected to generate 6.1 megawatts of electricity. The company had offered landowners $30,000 per turbine annually, potentially over 20 to 30 years, and promised the municipality $300,000 per 100 megawatts generated. Venfor’s representatives argued the project was an opportunity to contribute to Ontario’s growing demand for renewable energy.
But the overwhelming response from the community was firmly against it. Deputy Mayor Mike Sholdice, who introduced the motion, underscored this sentiment: “Given that there has already been overwhelming negative response from the residents and ratepayers of this township… I hereby move that Southwest Middlesex be declared Not a Willing Host for industrial wind power generation sites.”
The gallery erupted in applause, reflecting a turnout that far exceeded expectations. Many residents came prepared with signs reading “No Wind Turbines – Protect Rural Farms & Wildlife” and personal stories of concern. Among them was Christine Burke, a Chatham-Kent resident, who travelled to warn council about the risks of well water contamination based on her community’s experience.
“The industrial wind turbines, when they were constructed and in operation, created polluted well water for hundreds of families,” Burke said, holding up a jar of murky liquid. She explained that in Chatham-Kent, pile driving 100-foot steel beams for turbine foundations damaged the aquifer, leading to years of water quality issues. “They Swiss-cheesed our aquifer,” she said, urging Southwest Middlesex not to make the same mistake.
Online, the opposition had also been intense. A Facebook post by Sholdice asking for public feedback on the proposal garnered over 100 comments, with residents voicing strong environmental, health, and economic concerns. Some worried about noise and “visual blight,” while others cited studies linking turbine construction to groundwater disruption.
Beyond environmental fears, many residents questioned the fairness of the proposed financial benefits. While participating landowners would receive significant annual payments, neighbouring households — many of whom would face the closest impacts — would receive nothing. Others raised doubts about long-term responsibilities once Venfor exited the project. “Venfor is a development company,” one commenter wrote. “Once they secure agreements, they’ll sell the project. They won’t be around in 20 years when turbines need decommissioning.”
Councillors echoed these frustrations during deliberations. Councillor Martin Vink questioned claims that onshore wind energy was the cheapest form of electricity, pointing instead to hidden costs passed on to residents. “We are paying landowners $30,000 per turbine, $300,000 in wiring throughout the township, and then they sell the carbon credits to other industries. When you look at the totality of the picture, I don’t think it’s a good system,” Vink said.
Councillor Mark McGill acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that environmental groups such as Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation support wind power, but ultimately sided with residents’ concerns. “I am going to vote in favour of declaring as a non-host, just because there has been so much opposition to it,” he said.
Following the unanimous vote, Mayor Allan Mayhew emphasized the importance of formalizing the decision through a bylaw. “I don’t want this to be forgotten after the next election,” he said, adding that the bylaw would give the resolution “longevity and credibility.”
Outside council chambers, relief was palpable. Residents holding signs gathered to celebrate what many viewed as a hard-fought victory. “We came together for our community,” one resident said, “and tonight, our voices were heard.”
The municipality’s stance places Southwest Middlesex among numerous neighbouring regions that have already declared themselves unwilling hosts to wind turbines. While Venfor Inc. can still pursue projects elsewhere, the decision signals a growing trend of rural municipalities pushing back against industrial-scale wind energy developments.
For now, residents are calling for vigilance to ensure the decision remains enforceable. As Burke warned council earlier, “Once turbines go up, there’s no turning back.”
