Editorial

New residents hurting the economy of rural Ontario

Fear and selfishness under the banner of protection from pollution is rampant in Ontario. Last month, 45 residents from around Sarsfield -- now part of Ottawa -- showed up on the steps of City Hall demanding that a proposed hog operation be banned. Without checking any facts mayor Bob Chiarelli and his councillors passed a proposal to ask the minister of agriculture to ban hog operations from city limits. The hog operator had conformed to all the requirements requested by the municipality.

Near Brockville, residents have been petitioning rural councils to disallow train whistles. Their petitions were turned down by council because it feared for the safety of its citizens.

In Prince Edward County, past president of the grape growers association, worried that urban people buying up rural land would hurt the development of the wine industry in that county. They are looking for an exciting retirement, but he doubts they’ll have the drive to get the industry off the ground. When the going gets tough the retired get going.

This month, snowed under in protest, the Prince Edward County Railroad, originally scheduled from Picton to Trenton was turned down. Protestors said they feared property values would drop, children would be endangered and residents would be subject to noise pollution.

What has happened is that an avenue of redress and complaint in a democratic system is being abused. Legitimate protest should be welcomed. But arbitrary, emotional protests without facts should be dismissed by politicians. Otherwise economic development in rural areas will add up to a retiree and his computer... bought in the city.