WEYBURN – A proposed $500 million wind energy project has ignited controversy in the Rural Municipality of Weyburn, with disputes spilling into council chambers, allegations of a “violence-related” incident, and calls for greater transparency.
Recent council meeting minutes reveal tensions reached a boiling point when Coun. Josh Mainil declared a conflict of interest, saying he was a witness in a “violence-related” incident connected to the Enbridge Seven Stars Energy Wind Project. Reeve Bud Grohn and Administrator Jenna Smolinski also left the meeting during discussions of the incident, Grohn due to his alleged involvement in the incident and Smolinski as the complainant.
Despite the allegations, Weyburn Police Service Deputy Chief Shane St. John and Saskatchewan RCMP confirmed with SaskToday that no official complaints were filed regarding the incident.
Code of ethics complaints and legal reviews
Council moved in-camera during its June meeting to discuss a conflict of interest complaint, during which Coun. Chris Cugnet recused himself due to his involvement with the Enbridge project. Later, Coun. Mainil again declared a conflict of interest and exited before another closed-door discussion.
Council also voted 5-1 to impose a $500 fee for Code of Ethics complaints, with only Reeve Bud Grohn opposing. Councillors Chris Cugnet, Mike Fellner, Chad Culham, Josh Mainil, and Dustin Bell voted in favour.
Meanwhile, a long-awaited report from McDougall Gauley regarding a complaint against a former councillor has drawn criticism. Resident Rose McInnes expressed frustration over the seven-month delay, calling it “unacceptable.” McInnes also presented a petition urging council to maintain existing bylaws and demanded an apology from Coun. Jeromy Charlton for allegedly insulting her intelligence by calling her “not that smart.”
Calls for transparency
Ratepayer Don Bourassa recently raised concerns over a meeting the R.M. council had last year with Enbridge that lacked documented minutes. He urged council to record meetings for administrative purposes and criticized the lack of review of a 50-page legal document provided by McDougall Gauley.
Bourassa called for “greater transparency in council operations” and expressed willingness to collaborate with council on community concerns.
Currently, the R. M. of Weyburn prohibits media and the public from recording meetings or taking photographs.
Support and opposition to wind turbine project
During their regular council meeting in April the City of Weyburn council formally supported the $500 million Seven Stars Energy Wind Project.
A local grassroots movement is fighting the controversial Seven Stars Energy Project, which plans to install 46 wind turbines up to 700 feet tall in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Weyburn. The group behind the opposition is rallying support to cover mounting legal fees, materials for demonstrations, and public awareness efforts.
