Campbell Government Ignores Local Concerns Over IPPs
VICTORIA – The Campbell government needs to listen to concerns of British Columbians before allowing independent power projects to go ahead like the one at Cascade Falls, New Democrat MLA Katrine Conroy says.
Conroy, the MLA for West Kootenay – Boundary, said the
Katrine Conroy residents of the Christina Lake area spoke with one voice against the project, but the B.C. Liberals allowed it to go ahead anyway. By contrast, a project on the Upper Pitt River was shelved following a public hearing.
Conroy raised the issue in Question Period Thursday.
“What does it take nowadays to get a private power project cancelled?” asked Conroy in the Legislature. “Does it have to be close to the lower mainland, not near rural British Columbia? Does it have to be near the mainstream media?”
“This project will not benefit the people of Christina Lake or the Region. It’s obvious to people in this province that this government doesn’t care about preserving our rivers, creeks or streams for our children or grandchildren’s use, their objective is to sell our water to the highest bidder.”
The Environment minister’s answers are unlikely to reassure Boundary region residents concerned about losing access and control over their region, Conroy says.
“The Environment minister stood in the house and said that the project must be good, because the Americans have given it their seal of approval.
“This minister will listen to Americans, but he won’t listen to British Columbians concerned about losing control over their resources.”
