To Protect and Preserve Our Land, Our Water, Our Community
Support our fight to Save Georgian Bay with a contribution towards our efforts to uncover the facts about the proposed pumped storage project by TC Energy and to petition all levels of government and inform citizens around Georgian Bay and all Ontarians.
Save Georgian Bay is supported by residents of the Meaford community. Our objective is to inform the public about a Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project being proposed on the 4th Canadian Division Training Base in Meaford, Ontario by TransCanada Energy. This site contains information about the project itself and how you can voice your opinions and concerns.
2024 Save The Bay Polar Dip
Save The Bay Polar Dip is back!
International Polar Bear day is February 27, 2024, and this year brave swimmers from Meaford and South Georgian Bay will celebrate this day by dipping in the clear cold blue waters of Georgian Bay, our national treasure. (Date for the Polar Dip is under consideration.)
You will not be alone! Many swimmers in Canada and worldwide look forward to a cold plunge. They say “exhilarating”: frigid Water clears the mind and boosts mood. For some, a cold-water swim feels like a meditation. Others tout the mental sharpness they feel from a dip in frigid water.
Don’t miss this opportunity to plunge into Georgian Bay in winter. Register and begin training by following our seven steps for a polar dip.
Update on Save Georgian Bay’s Ongoing Efforts
When Save Georgian Bay was established, our primary goal was to shed light on the proposed pumped storage project by TC Energy. We aimed to expose its shortcomings, petition all levels of government, and inform citizens across Georgian Bay and Ontario. At the outset, it seemed logical that our efforts would prompt a reconsideration, given the project’s use of outdated technology, its lack of ratepayer value, and strong community opposition.
TC Energy Fined $3.72 Million By IESO for Misinformation
IESO investigations of TransCanada Energy Ltd. (TCE) found multiple breaches of the market rules:
- providing cost submissions that were not complete, correct or true;
- providing misleading information and
- by not correcting information.
Resulting in cumulative penalties of $3.72 million.
SGB – Species at Risk as listed by DND
The DND’s studies found serious concerns related to the environment. The Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Meaford is home to 30 species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), including birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and plants. In addition, the project’s giant turbines that will use the waters of Georgian Bay would have adverse effects on fish and fish habitat. DND concluded that “large numbers of species at risk as well as their habitat will be impacted, including an old growth woodlot”.
Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve
The Province of Ontario has reversed many bad decisions in the last five years. We know the Pumped Storage Project is no different than ravaging the Green Belt. The DND lands designated as an army training facility are carved out of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Thus becoming a target for the TC Energy Pump Storage.
In a fight for freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but whatever you do, you must keep moving forward.”
There was never a good argument for removing lands from the Greenbelt. The benefit claims for the Pumped Storage Project also don’t add up. The Ford government has learned a lesson on the importance of proper public consultation when making decisions that affect the natural environment. The Pumped Storage Project should be next on the list.
TC Energy Project a Threat to Endangered Species
Freedom of Information request documents reveal disturbing consequences for the local environment from a giant pumped storage project.
press release September 15, 2023
ERO 019-7337: Proposal to amend Ontario Regulation 53/05
We are surprised that the Ontario government would support this energy storage project which, when compared to the alternatives, such as an Oneida battery storage facility, has major shortcomings … Read More
Rupert Kindersley Executive Director Georgian Bay Association
Have Your Say: Important Opportunity to Comment on Pumped Storage Facility Regulations – Community letter feedback campagn to Gautam Jindal, Ontario Ministry of Energy – ended August 15, 2023 … Read More
Save Georgian Bay Association
Our Concern: The TCE Pumped Storage Project
TC Energy (formerly TransCanada Pipeline) is proposing to build an open loop 1000 megawatt Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) on the shores of Georgian Bay.
Hear Us Out
The author of the Official Song of Municipality of Meaford “Meet me in Meaford” changes lyrics to reflect the proposition of PSP construction.
