MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, Oct. 1, 2009 (Marketwire) -- Mayor Hazel McCallion expressed her concern regarding yesterday's announcement from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) of the selection of Oakville as the site of the 900 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant.
"I am disappointed in this announcement," said Mayor Hazel McCallion. "This is a loss for both Mississauga and Oakville. There will be a negative impact on air quality based on the Ministry of the Environment's own Clarkson Airshed Study. Our combined efforts with Oakville and requests to the Ontario Power Authority and provincial government fell on deaf ears. I am pleased however to know the Ministry of the Environment will launch a task force to develop an action plan to improve air quality through the reduction of emissions."
The OPA has advised TransCanada Corporation it has been awarded a 20-year Clean Energy Supply Contract to build, own and operate the plant in Oakville, Ontario on the Ford-owned lands, located at 1500 Royal Windsor Drive. Four possible sites were considered for the plant including three Mississauga sites:
- Southdown Station, 759 - 797 Winston Churchill Boulevard
- Avon Energy Station, 445 Hazelhurst Road
- Royal Windsor Energy Centre, 2400 - 2430 Royal Windsor Drive
"Numerous public meetings were held to hear public feedback on this plant's proposed site in Mississauga and Oakville," said McCallion. "The combined professional effort put forward by the citizens of Mississauga and Oakville to the Minister of the Environment, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and the Premier, regarding the impact of adding emissions to an area where the Ministry of the Environment's own study said it was now stressed, obviously were ignored. However; I would like to thank residents, community groups, MPP Charles Sousa and our neighbours to the west in Oakville for the support we received."
"As a result of the stand taken by the residents, the Council of Mississauga, and the Council of the Region of Peel, the Ministry of the Environment was forced to announce a plan to reduce the emissions in the Clarkson Airshed Study area," said McCallion. "The first attempt a few years ago failed. We have no details of the plan but we hope the second attempt will produce results."
As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 730,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 61 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Mississauga prides itself on enhancing its citizens' quality of life by providing superior services, revitalizing its infrastructure and conserving the environment. Mississauga's commitment to innovation, operational excellence and fiscal responsibility reflects the City's motto: "Leading Today for Tomorrow."
