Holding up a jar of black water taken from water wells near the North Kent Wind Project in Chatham-Kent earned Essex MPP Taras Natyshak an ejection from the legislature.
Natyshak is unrepentant. On Facebook, he swore to keep fighting for residents who say their water is contaminated with black shale because of construction on wind turbines near their farms.
A screenshot of Taras Natyshak's post on Facebook, March 8 2018.
In the legislature Thursday, Natyshak grilled the Liberal government over its response to the residents.
"This Liberal government says that the water is safe to drink. Nothing to look at and that these families are over-reacting," fired Natyshak. "Well, I've seen first-hand what the water looks like and the scientists that have shown that the sentiment is actually black shale, which is known to carry heavy metals like arsenic, lead and uranium."
He demanded to know why the government has refused to carry out an investigation.
It was during the response by Minister for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation David Zimmer who was speaking on behalf of the Minister of the Environment that Natyshak was first warned.
"The ministry has undertaken a review of water quality data to ensure the residents the water is safe. And thus far, thus far, the analysis has not shown a connection between water quality and the construction activity," said Zimmer. "The company has informed the Ministry that it is working with homeowners to provide and pay for licensed well contractors to inspect their wells and answer that they may have."
"What an unbelievable answer from the minister of whatever it is," Natyshak shot back pointing out that farmers are using bottled water to hydrate their livestock. "This is a sad day in Ontario."
The clock was stopped, but Natyshak held up the bottle while he shouted, "take a look at that."
He was ejected, while residents sitting in the public gallery were warned to remain quiet.
