Archive for 2006 March

Minister Cansfield suggests that “It takes time to change a culture” when explaining why the Liberals believe that the people of Ontario can not conserve energy. I am sure that this has little to do with virtually no government investment in helping the economy become more efficient, nor would the active manipulation of electricity prices to manage political sentiment create disincentive to conserve.  It’s “the culture’s” fault.

If it is in the culture I would suggest to the Minister, the candidates in Toronto-Danforth, journalists and energy users to recognise that responding to peak electrical demand in the summer in Toronto has little to do with keeping lights on. It’s all about keeping air conditioners running. So let’s change the language and alleviate the fear of blackouts. At least that way, the culture can start to make an informed decision about turning their houses into refrigerators when it’s 25 degrees outside.

Greg Bonser
Toronto, Ontario

We will be maintaining updates on developing events surrounding the  construction of the Portlands Energy Centre, a 550 MW gas-fired generator about to be built at the base of our riding. The latest updates can be found by clicking on the  topic Portlands Energy Centre, which is always available in the sidebar on the right.

Stop the Portlands power plant

The website for the Stop the Plant coalition is up and running.

[This is one in a series of Green Profiles. These profile community members who provide positive examples to follow. Those profiled needn’t be Toronto–Danforth riding residents or even Green Party supporters. If you have suggestions about who to feature, please let us know.]

Karen Buck’s garbage can is bright red. Karen chose it because in our society red means “stop” and “danger” — and that is the message anyone who uses her garbage can should be receiving. The Beaches activist takes waste seriously and she has a household system in place that allows her family to keep 95% of what they could throw away out of the Michigan landfill.     Read more »