VICTORIA— North Island MLA Claire Trevena says a report issued by the Outdoor Recreation Council is yet more proof that the Campbell government is sacrificing the environment and the public interest in its quest to privatize our rivers.

“This report is further proof that the Campbell government’s privatization agenda is a Claire Trevenahuge environmental threat to our rivers,” said Trevena.

According to the report, half of the most endangered rivers in British Columbia are threatened by so-called “green” power projects.

“It’s not green power if it puts fish stocks in jeopardy and threatens the viability of watershed ecosystems,” said Trevena. “The idea that this government cares about the environment is wearing thin very rapidly.”

General Electric owns a 60-per-cent stake of Plutonic Power’s Bute Inlet project. Together these and other private power producers have donated $560,000 to the B.C. Liberal party.

“It’s no secret that we’re all paying higher electricity bills because of this government’s privatization agenda,” said Trevena. “Instead of looking after taxpayers and the environment, Gordon Campbell is looking after multinational corporations like General Electric.

“British Columbians are being asked to sacrifice their environment and pay higher costs for electricity so that friends and donors of the Campbell government can strike it rich.”

Bute Inlet, which is ranked eighth on the list of British Columbia’s ten most threatened rivers and watersheds, is the site of a proposed private power project that would affect 17 different rivers and streams.

Claire Trevena

North Island

Claire was first elected in May 2005 and was re-elected on May 12, 2009.