The Saugeen Ojibway Nation is pleased that the province has decided to hold off on any off-shore wind turbine developments.
Saugeen First Nation Chief Randall Kahgee says the waters of the Great Lakes are very important to them socially, culturally, economically, and spiritually.
Kahgee also believes there is an oversaturation of wind energy projects right now, specifically on SON land.
He says more research needs to be done on the effects of wind power, and until then, he says they have to be cautious moving forward.
Kahgee says SON is the only band to have an historic agreement with Ontario that addresses energy development throughout its traditional territory.
That territory includes the Bruce area and Peninsula, south to Goderich and east of Collingwood, and includes all the waters surrounding the Peninsula to the US border.
He says the agreement makes it clear that they have to be part of shaping dialogue surrounding any renewable power projects.
Kahgee says it allows them to make informed decisions — and any projects they choose to support has to be something that First Nations can benefit from as well.
The government’s goal is to have 50 per cent nuclear energy and 50 per cent renewable energy sources, and Kahgee says he’s glad to see that despite that aggressive target, they are slowing down and studying the effects of off-shore developments.
The Saugeen Ojibway Nations are collectively, the Chippewas of Nawash and the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.
