The Ontario government repealed the Green Energy and Green Economy Act in 2019, which returned siting powers to municipal governments. Many municipalities in Ontario demanded these changes. In 2022, Wind Concerns Ontario released a statement recommending that setbacks between homes and turbines be extended to 2 km.
Local government may now enact their own zoning bylaws with regard to setback distances and noise limits. Municipalities are being told that they still cannot say No to a wind power project; this is false.
By repealing this act, we’re restoring planning decisions to municipalities that were stripped by previous government and ensuring local voices have the final say on energy projects in their communities.
Ontario Government
Mandatory Municipal Support
Effective July 22nd, 2015, a total of 89 municipalities were declared an “Unwilling Host”. Find the list below
Addington Highlands, Lennox and Addington County
Adelaide-Metcalfe, Middlesex County
Alfred & Plantagenet, Prescott-Russell County
Amaranth, Dufferin County
Asphodel-Norwood. Peterborough County
Algonquin Highlands, Haliburton County
Armour, District of Parry Sound
Arran-Elderslie, Bruce County
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, Huron County
Bayham, Elgin County
Bluewater, Huron
Brethour, Timiskaming District
Brockton, Bruce
Brockton, Bruce
Bruce Mines, Algoma District
Cavan-Monaghan, Peterborough
Central Elgin, Elgin
Central Huron, Huron
Chamberlain, Timiskaming
Champlain, Prescott-Russell
Chatsworth, Grey County
Clarington, Region of Durham
Dutton-Dunwich, Elgin
Dufferin, County
East Ferris, Nippissing District
East Hawkesbury, Prescott-Russell
Edwardsburgh, Leeds and Grenville County
Elgin, County
Elizabeth-Kitley, Leeds and Grenville
Essex, Essex County
*Denotes a member of this organization sits on the Board of Directors for Wind Concerns Ontario