Assessing the legal and financial risks of contracts under Ontario's Green Energy Act
County Rd. #5 near the 9th line, East Garafraxa. Photograph courtesy of Dawna VanSoelen (riverbendartistsofgrandvalley.ca)
This is a website containing information for farmers and other landowners in Ontario with properties that may be suitable for wind turbines.
We would like to suggest that anyone who is thinking about signing a contract for a wind turbine should first review the topics in the Commentary section of this website.
If they are given a contract to sign, they should read it carefully and consult a lawyer to obtain independent legal advice. It is also important to note that terms may be missing from the contract that should be there protect the landowner.
These are lengthy and complex documents that are written from the perspective of wind energy developers and do little to protect the interests of landowners. They will substantially reduce the control that landowners have over their land and limit what they can do with it for as long as 50 years.
There is no alternative to fully understanding the contract and no one should sign a contract they do not understand.
Individuals who have signed a contract and who may be reconsidering their decision should consult a lawyer with expertise in the field of contract law and who has experience representing clients involved in commercial lawsuits.
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