PITT MEADOWS—Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Liberals must shelve the proposed Run of the River power project on the Upper Pitt River, says NDP Leader Carole James.

"The Upper Pitt is B.C.’s most endangered river," said James. "The Campbell government’s response is to put that river at increased risk by entertaining plans for an independent power project.

"The fact the Campbell government is even considering this proposal, which will remove land from a Class A park and put critical salmon habitat at risk, is a clear signal that the environment is not their priority," said James.

Carole JamesPublic opposition to the Upper Pitt power project has been strong since B.C. Hydro accepted Run of the River’s proposal in 2006. The project would create more than half a dozen power-generating stations on the Upper Pitt River and would require the removal of several acres of land from Pinecone Burke Provincial Park.

"Gordon Campbell needs to start listening to the public and to the concerns of environmental organizations and community groups who do not want this project to go forward," said James.

"B.C. Liberal MLA Randy Hawes is on the wrong side of this issue," said Shane Simpson, NDP environment critic. "Next Monday, he will be bringing forward a motion in the B.C. Legislature that shows that his government is prepared to put their privatization agenda ahead of the public and the environment. That’s wrong.

Shane Simpson"B.C. needs a green energy strategy that puts the public interest ahead of private companies. We need a sustainable approach, not a gold rush attitude that puts more than 550 rivers on the table with no consideration for the environment or biodiversity," said Simpson.

James and Simpson will be in attendance at tonight’s public forum in Pitt Meadows, along with local NDP MLAs Diane Thorne (Coquitlam – Maillardville), Michael Sather (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows) and Mike Farnworth (Port Coquitlam – Burke Mountain).