Wind farm protest in Stratford targets local MPP

STRATFORD, Ont. - Environment Minister John Wilkinson can expect some protesters on his doorstep this evening.

A group called Wind Concerns Ontario is organizing the protest at the Perth-Wellington MPP's campaign office in Stratford.

The organization, which says it's a coalition of 58 grassroots citizen's groups, is opposed to wind turbines.

The group says wind turbines cause health problems and can bring down property values by up to 40 per cent.

The group is circulating a petition calling for a moratorium on all industrial wind proposals and an independent health study to develop safety guidelines for wind farm.

It also wants stringent environmental protection standards, saying some wind farm projects threaten endangered species.

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  Manitoba's $345 million wind farm began production near St. Paul, 100 kilometres south of Winnipeg, on Tuesday. It will eventually produce enough energy to power 50,000 homes.