Starting in Field on Monday, April 21st, the Rivers at Risk tour has drawn large crowds interested in learning more about the BC Energy Plan and river-diversion projects planned for our area.
“Field is a community of around 200 people, and 40 residents came out to the meeting on Monday,” said the MLA for Columbia River – Revelstoke Norm Macdonald. “40 people is 20% of the population; that’s incredible.”
Rivers at Risk is a coalition of organizations including the Council of Canadians, Wildsight, COPE 378 and the Wilderness Committee. The theme of this tour was ‘Power to the People?’
Through Bill 30, the provincial government removed municipalities and regional districts from the decision-making process in connection with private power projects.
“I was asked to attend the tour and speak about democracy,” continued Macdonald. “I spoke about the power people still have despite Bill 30, and I encouraged attendees to use all their options which include writing letters to government and the newspapers, and attending public meetings.”
Wilderness Committee National Campaign Director Joe Foy attended the Kimberley event on April 23rd where he spoke about the campaign to stop the river-diversion project slated for the Upper Pitt River. The transmission lines for the Upper Pitt project were to be built through Pinecone Burke Provincial Park
“The Pitt was shut down by raw people power,” declared Foy.
Foy credits people from across the province writing letters and sending emails, and the 1200 people who showed up at the public hearings for Minister Penner’s decision to reject the proponent’s plan.
More than 500 river-diversion projects are currently planned all across British Columbia and it affects all British Columbians.
“Everyone with moving water has private power in their neck of the woods,” continued Foy. “Every river and stream in the province has an eyeball on it right now.”
“I support Carole James’ call for an absolute moratorium on private power projects in BC. We need to put a stop to this.”
In the home community of the Council of Canadians chapter responsible for these events, 200 Golden and area residents filled a gymnasium last night to show their support for public power.
“It is so clear that people do not accept the BC Energy Plan or private power developments on our rivers,” said Macdonald. “The power is with the people, and when people speak out the government is forced to listen.”