In Favour, with conditions.

I have been around Georgian Bay all my life, and have a great love for the beautiful blue water, the fishing, and the people surrounding the Bay. I have served on the Meaford Chamber of Commerce for many years, including 2 1/2 years as Chamber President, and have served on the committee that puts together Meaford Dragons for the past 8 years. My daughter moved to the Municipality of Meaford some 7 years ago and has a business on Sykes Street. I maintain an office and a warehouse in town, and have coached dozens of local small businesses. I have also served as a member of the Pumped Storage Advisory Committee, from its inception in 2024 to its dissolution in February 2026. 

I wish to add my voice of support to this project, as a key component of the Ontario Power Grid, as a power backstop to the military base and as an economic driver of the local, regional and Provincial economy. 

I do wish however, to condition my response on the very premise that this project is thoroughly reviewed, and satisfies the very elements that have triggered such organised opposition. In my roles as a responsible citizen of Canada and Ontario, and as business owner &  business coach, and as a fisherman, an amateur photographer and as a husband, father, and grandfather, I strive to make the places we live in, better, with opportunities for all.

I have listened to, and read much information & contentions from people who cover the spectrum of fear, anxiety, scepticism, informed dissent, speculation, fear mongering, NIMBYism, optimism and quiet support. I firmly believe that all of the concerns voiced need to form the checklist by which we measure the safety, effectiveness and economic impact of this project. I do not dismiss the passionate people who have expressed their concerns; rather I would like to harness their passion, imagination and energy to build a better project. It is up to all stakeholders to participate in the process of any project, and to be particularly careful with this project near beautiful Georgian Bay.

I do not want to see the air polluted, nor the water polluted, nor the fish negatively impacted, nor agriculture suffer, nor people subjected to any sort of "downstream" risk from a failed dam, nor see volume of wells impacted, nor quality of drinking water eroded, nor properties lose value or have negative insurance issues. I do understand and accept that there is substantial risk of inconvenience during the construction period, but expect that those factors will be mitigated to high standards by the people involved. I expect all oversight agencies and construction companies and other stakeholders to "do their jobs' and make sure this project is managed to satisfy and/or exceed all applicable laws and regulations.

I do welcome an economic uplift for the Municipality, the County, the Region and the Province of Ontario. I am in favour of the Ontario Hydro Grid having another key component of a fail safe hydro grid system, if the designated authorities determine that this project satisfies that. I like the idea of the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre having immediate, long term access to the power that they need to protect themselves and to fulfill their objectives & missions. I like the idea that this project might have an educational component to inspire aspiring students including young engineers. 

I believe Meaford will greatly benefit from a successful Pumped Storage Project. But success cannot come at undue risk to the people, and elements I listed above. I believe that as Canadians, in this era, we have the technical prowess and resources to build this project responsibly. In Canada, we can do big things, and we can dream creatively. We have already seen TCE be responsive to design inputs and willing to listen to local concerns. We need them to continue to be legally and practically responsible, with strong oversight from the agencies charged with protection our air, water, soil, and living standards. 

Respectfully,

Bob Peel