Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, April 27, 2018 to SUnday, April 29, 2018

Today – Mainly sunny. Increasing cloudiness near noon then a few showers beginning this afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm late this afternoon. High 14. UV index 5 or moderate.

Tonight – A few rain showers ending this evening then cloudy. A few rain showers and flurries beginning overnight. Risk of a thunderstorm early this evening. Low plus 3.

Saturday, April 28 – A few rain showers and flurries ending early in the morning then mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of drizzle. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. High plus 5.

Saturday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 2.

Sunday, April 29 – Sunny. High 11.

Sunday night – Clear. Low plus 2.

Green Party supports health hazard investigation

The Green Party of Ontario supports Water Wells First request for a Health Hazard Investigation to investigate the black shale polluting wells in Chatham-Kent, says the party’s leader Mike Schreiner.

It is necessary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to follow their own guidelines relating to the enforcement of regulations and the precautionary principle, Schreiner says in a letter to Water Wells First.

“The safety and preservation of drinking water is paramount to any industrial activity,” Schreiner wrote.

“The Green Party has consistently fought to maintain a sustainable water supply that prioritizes public drinking water for people. The GPO strongly supports wind energy, and we believe that renewable energy projects must be developed in ways that comply with sound environmental regulations and management practices.”

A report commissioned by Hydro One shows that Hydro One won’t pile drive in the same North Kent area due to concerns over damaging water wells.

“Yet, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has refused Water Wells First requests for proper testing of the water,” Schreiner says.

“The Green Party believes it is unacceptable for the MOECC to refuse to conduct proper testing of people’s water. We believe that the Ontario Government has a responsibility to manage water as a public trust in the public interest, ensuring that people have a human right to clean drinking water. Conducting a proper Health Hazard Investigation is a necessary step to protect people’s water.”

Schreiner added: “The Green Party strongly encourages the province to conduct a Health Hazard Investigation to
investigate the black shale polluting wells in Chatham-Kent.”

Water Wells First happy with Schreiner’s personal visit

Kevin Jakubec, spokesperson for Water Wells First, says the Green Party of Ontario announced on Thursday April 26, 2018 they are calling for a Health Hazard Investigation into the black shale now polluting water wells in Chatham-Kent.

“Mike Schreiner the leader of the Ontario Green Party has personally visited a Dover Township water well contaminated with black shale and made it clear that maintaining a sustainable water supply is a top priority,” Jakubec said in an email.

“That this pollution of a drinking water supply is completely unacceptable.”

Jakubec says the Green Party joins the NDP party who already have called for a Health Hazard Investigation earlier this year.

“NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has also visited a contaminated well in Chatham Township,” Jakubec said.

“Water Wells First recognizes that only the Liberal Party and the Progressive Conservative party are the only parties that have not issued a statement from their respective party leaders calling for an immediate health hazard investigation into the polluted water wells in Chatham-Kent.”

Progressive Conservative MPP Rick Nicholls was asked by Water Wells First spokesperson Kevin Jakubec prior to Doug Ford’s visit to Chatham-Kent to arrange a tour of a contaminated well for Mr. Ford but was advised that Mr. Ford is on a tight schedule, Jakubec said.

“Members of Water Wells First express their disappointment that the Leader of the PC Party could not find time to see the problem first hand as the other party leaders did.”