Two-thirds of residents support a proposed wind farm in the city with only residents in the Neebing Ward showing significant opposition, says the senior researcher consultant of a public opinion polling agency.
A survey conducted by Pollara shows a majority of Thunder Bay residents support the Horizon Wind Inc.’s proposed Big Thunder Wind Park. The public opinion and research firm, which was funded by Horizon, released its information at a news conference at Victoria Inn Wednesday.
Surveyors randomly called 100 residents from each of the city’s seven wards and asked questions on what they thought about the proposed wind farm. The polling began on May 4 and over four days interviewers surveyed 703 residents.
The survey recorded that 65 per cent of people supported the project, 28 per cent opposed it and eight per cent had no opinion at the beginning of the interview. Before the end of the interview, surveyors told participating residents about the believed pros and cons of the project.
After interviewees heard that information, the poll numbers changed slightly with 70 per cent supporting the proposed project and 25 per cent still opposing it.
Lucas Marshall, senior research consultant with Pollara, said while a majority agreed with the project, most opposition came from the Neebing Ward -- about 59 per cent of residents from that riding opposed the project with 41 per cent in support.
"The Neebing Ward was the one and only area that had higher opposition to the project than support," Marshall said. "As it stands, it is in stark contrast to the rest of the city."
Marshall said residence reasons for supporting were for environmental reasons, while reasons for opposing the project varied from not liking the location to aesthetics.
The survey shows that of the 28 per cent against the project, 17 per cent strongly opposed it while 10 per cent were somewhat opposed. Marshall said the reason for the strong opposition being higher was that the project probably directly affected those people.
"I guess it goes back to the idea that if you aren’t that invested into the project, if you don’t live nearby or something like that then the extremity of your opinion might be tamed some what," he said. "However, the proportion of people who strongly support it out number those who strongly oppose it by two-to-one."
Marshall said the other key finds included that residents were already well informed about the proposed wind park and that residents believe the park would have a positive impact on the job market.
But Margot Freitag, a member of Nor’Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee, questions the survey’s credibility and said 703 people doesn’t accurately represent the city.
"How can they say that 700 people out of a population of 100,000 is the general consensus," Freitag said. "I personally haven’t talked to anyone who thought it was a good idea. If you’re going to poll the city then poll the whole city."
The Escarpment Protection Committee formed in 2009 after residents in Neebing learned of Horizon’s plan to construct a wind farm. The group has been vocal in its opposition to the wind farm, and says Horizon’s current plans will put wind turbines too close to populated areas
