Council opposes DND radar project
by Trina Berlo and Bonnie MacPherson
Clearview council has voted unanimously to oppose the ‘receive’ Site for the Department of National Defence (DND) Arctic Over-the- Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) project, citing an inappropriate use of valuable agricultural land.
The motion, tabled Monday by Councillor Marty Beelen, states, “recognizing the importance of national defence and supporting Canada’s efforts to keep pace with new and emerging threats such as hypersonic weapons and advanced cruise missiles, respectfully opposes the use of valuable agricultural land in Clearview Township for the use of a receive site for National Defence’s Arctic Over-The-Horizon (A-OTHR) project.”
He states in his report that DND has already purchased 700 acres for the proposed use but if realized, the project could occupy 4,000 acres of valuable farmland.
“Clearview is an agricultural community, with agriculture and agri- related businesses being the township’s Number 1 economic activity. Agriculture is a vital part of our culture and heritage. Valuable farmland in Ontario is already being used for roads, housing and development. We do not need to use more valuable farmland for this DND project. Other lands such as crown land, less valuable farmland, abandoned sites such as the Pickering airport or county forests should be considered instead,” reported Beelen. “The Department of National Defence needs to continue its search for appropriate sites rather than using such valuable farmland.”
During the discussion at Monday’s council meeting, Beelen said he doesn’t believe DND has done their homework and due diligence to find less valuable farmland on which to build.
Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren agreed saying he recognizes the importance of national defence but it does not outweigh the need for food production, adding, “We can’t keep taking farmland.”
Mayor Doug Measures said two public information sessions hosted by DND in Creemore on Sept. 10 have sparked quite a bit of discussion in the community.
“This whole project, I’m disappointed,” said Measures, adding that it took municipal officials by surprise and that he believes the technology will be outdated before long.
“I don’t think it’s worth the money,” he said. “It’s a big spend and the enemy will be able to circumvent it.”
“Agriculture is part of our culture,” said Measures. “It’s who we are. It really shocked me to think that the technology is only good for 30 years, but the land will not be farmable… There is a whole lot wrong with it.”
Council has directed staff to circulate the motion to a list of federal ministers, adjacent municipalities and other interested parties.
Following feedback received at the community engagement sessions, the public engagement period has been extended by one month to Oct. 15. Council was asked to comment on the proposed project as part of the consultation period.
At a recent public information session, a number of residents expressed concern that the original Sept. 15 cut-off did not allow sufficient time to respond.
“The subject property has already been acquired. This is a done deal and the information session is nothing but theatre,” said Dan Vick, a County Road 10 resident.
He claims property values in the area were impacted as soon as word of the project got out. “Property values will go down,” he said. “You pretend to be good neighbours. What is the DND going to do for us?”
He said land owners are in limbo, holding off on improvements to their properties while waiting for a decision on subsequent sites.
The proposed A-OTHR installation would be located on a 288-hectare parcel of land (roughly 711 acres) on the 15/16 Sideroad between Concessions 6 and 7. In June, it was announced that the site would be developed as a preliminary receive site as part of a $38.6 billion plan to upgrade NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) early warning capabilities. A site in Kawartha Lakes will be developed as a permanent transmit site.
A DND spokesperson told the meeting that as northern waterways become more navigable and air traffic increases, an accurate view further north is an essential component of an early warning system to protect Canadian sovereignty.
Since the DND purchased the original parcel in Clearview, neighbouring property owners have been surveyed as to their interest in potential sale of their land, leading to concerns that if willing sellers don’t come forward, the federal government might move to expropriate. Those in attendance were assured that the DND is only trying to determine interest at this stage, and has no plans to force anyone to sell.
Clearview resident Matthew Whittley said he is concerned about the potential for harmful radiation from the site.
“Right now, in the middle of my field, I can measure two to five micro- watts of radiation per square metre. I am putting Clearview council and the head of DND on notice that if radiation rises to harmful levels causing harm I will seek legal remedies.”
Tamara Lorincz, of Waterloo, said governments should focus their efforts on more pressing matters than our sovereignty over the Arctic.
“We’re faced with catastrophic climate change and rampant poverty,” she said. “Why are we subsidizing the U.S. war machine when we should be focused on making peace with our Russian neighbours?”
File photo: Two public information sessions held in Creemore on Sept. 10 drew large crowds of residents concerned about the proposed receive site for the Department of National Defence Arctic Over-the- Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) project being located in Clearview Township.
