In response to a campaign launched by The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, Environmental Defence, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Pembina Foundation and other Government of Ontario taxpayer funded 'wind welfare' recipients, Wind Concerns Ontario is calling on all candidates for Premier, and the Trillium Foundation to commit to end funding to these pro-industrial wind lobbying syndicates.
Since Dalton McGuinty became Premier, his government has funnelled $3,297,900 to these and other wind-campaigners through the Trillium Foundation. (Details below)
The stated mission of the Trillium Foundation is "Building healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector, through investments in community-based initiatives."
"These professional, paid, and well-funded pro-wind campaigners are not volunteers, nor are they community based. They represent special interests and are parasites dependent on the government they praise and defend for the resources that enable their lobbying efforts. We want to see the government, end all funding to these organizations and for the Trillium Foundation to stick to its mission and stop funnelling millions of dollars to special interests that support the Liberal Party's political efforts." stated John Laforet, President of Wind Concerns Ontario, an independent, individual donor funded, grassroots coalition representing fifty-seven community groups around Ontario opposed to industrial wind development. "Wind Concerns Ontario will work to ensure the 'wind welfare' tap enabling professional campaigners to smear and mislead are turned off by a future government, because taxpayers shouldn't be paying for this multi-million dollar pro-industry shenanigan." He added.
Many of the groups behind '
comeclean.ca' were also behind the pro-industry, anti-science, anti-democracy Green Energy Act which has polarized Ontario's politics, divided communities, and set about a massive organizing and voter mobilization effort to defeat Liberal MPPs in communities with industrial wind proposals and development by Wind Concerns Ontario.
Wind Concerns Ontario has launched
endwindwelfare.ca, a campaign to allow the public to do their part to end this abuse of taxpayer funds for the Liberals partisan benefit between now and the October 6
th 2011 provincial election.
For More Information Contact
John Laforet - President, Wind Concerns Ontario - 647 724 0600
Summary of grants to 'come clean' and other pro-wind campaigner organizations
- $3,297,900--Funds to pro wind professional campaigners since 2003 from the Trillium Foundation
- $902,800 Ontario Sustainable Energy Association ($1,471,300 w/ TEA/TREC)
- $167,000 (Member of OSEA) Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)
- $401,500 (Member of OSEA) Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative (TREC)
- $1,029,500 Environmental Defence and partners
- $268,500 Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
- $119,900 Pembina Foundation
- $408,700 other pro-wind campaigners
Specific Grants from Trillium Foundation Reports (2003-2011)
2002-2003 Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative
$199,000 over three years to develop, implement and evaluate an education program for North America's first urban wind turbine being built at Exhibition Place.
2004-2005 Sustainable St. Lawrence c/o The Energy Action Council of Toronto
$113,400 over 18 months to plan, develop and deliver programs that will enhance the quality of life in the St. Lawrence area through environmental, community and economic programs, creating healthy, sustainable communities and fostering conservation.
2005 Eneract
$217,000 over three years to increase Eneract's administrative and operating capacity. This will support the development and delivery of innovative energy solutions and programs, helping Toronto-area communities work toward a sustainable future.
2005-2006 Greenest City and Clean Air Partnership c/o Greenest City Environmental Organization
$62,500 over one year to create a framework for monitoring and evaluating social marketing and environmental education programs. It will be used by Toronto-area environmental organizations focused on clean air and energy programs and issues.
2005-2006 Toronto Environmental Alliance
$135,200 over two years to build a sustainable fundraising program that relies increasingly on individual donors and to expand the membership program in order to engage more Toronto residents in the greening of the city.
2007-2008 Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative (grant has city-wide impact)
$202,500 over three years to expand energy education programs, reaching more participants of all ages through the Annual Kids' World of Energy Festival, the Renewable Energy Bike Tours education program and a documentary on renewable energy
2008-2009 Toronto Environmental Alliance
$31,800 over nine months to complete a comprehensive strategic planning process, which will review the organization's, goals, communications activities, fundraising and volunteer development.
2002-2003 Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
$445,500 over three years to stimulate the development of ""green energy"" projects by providing workshops, resource materials and ongoing support to community groups across Ontario."
2004-2005 Building Green Power Co-operative Capacity: GPIF Initiative c/o Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
$70,000 over one year to investigate financing options that will support the preliminary planning stage development of renewable power projects by community-based, not-for-profit groups.
2004-2005 Environmental Defence Canada
$399,300 over 33 months to implement the Blue Flag international eco-label program at Ontario beaches. The Blue Flag assures tourists and citizens that beaches are clean, swimmable, accessible, safe and actively protected by the community.
2004-2005 Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development
$67,300 over one year to develop Ontario-focused curriculum materials and visual construction plans and implement teacher training workshops, which will increase young people's understanding of renewable energy technologies and energy consumption.
2006-2007 Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
$260,000 over two years to enhance the capacity of the organization, enabling it to help community power organizations develop and implement projects and expand the level of participation of the community power sector.
2006-2007 Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
$200,000 over three years to reduce human exposure to toxic chemicals by strengthening the organization's operations across Ontario, increasing its membership and long-term sustainability.
2008-2009 Environmental Program Development in Three Ontario First Nations c/o Environmental Defence Canada Inc.
$130,200 over 18 months to build environmental programs that engage youth leadership and public participation within three First Nations communities.
2008-2009 Environmental Defence Canada
$79,200 over eight months for management, promotions and signage to raise Blue Flags at more Ontario beaches. Communities will receive support, programs and education to enable them to earn this international accreditation of clean, safe beaches.
2009-2010 The Energy Exhibition Collaborative c/o Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
$127,300 over one year for a co-ordinator, equipment, exhibit production and website design. A collaborative photography initiative with a touring exhibition component will raise awareness and educate Ontarians about how energy impacts everyday life.
2009-2010 Blue Green Now: Driving the Transition to Green Jobs in Ontario Communities c/o Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF)
$420,800 over two years for staff, media and expenses to launch Blue Green Now. The project will create strategies to promote a green economic agenda, attracting green jobs and industries to Sudbury, Greater Toronto, Hamilton or Kitchener Waterloo.
2009-2010 Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care c/o Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)
$68,500 over one year for staff, communications and equipment for a greening-of-health-care strategy in hospitals. Toxics will be reduced, alternative cleaning products used, fragrance scent-free policies implemented and more local foods purchased.
2009-2010 David Suzuki Foundation/Fondation David Suzuki
$129,200 over two years to develop a financing model to stimulate the green economy and energy retrofits by researching and pilot-testing Local Improvement Charges (LICs) in three to five Ontario municipalities.
2009-2010 Pembina Foundation for Environmental Research and Education
$52,600 over one year to develop, test and deliver educational resources to enhance the Grade 10 civics curriculum. An on-line video and teachers guide will be created to increase youth engagement in democratic decision-making processes on energy.
