Do power production right

Invermere Valley Echo

Published: July 14, 2009 1:00 PM

Since coming back from Victoria after the last legislative session, I have had the opportunity to speak to many of my constituents. I’ve been able to ask people about what is on their minds, and many people are talking about proposed private power projects on rivers and creeks throughout this area. People are concerned that they no longer have a say on whether or not these projects proceed.

I first became aware of this issue in 2006 when I was asked to vote on Bill 30, now known as the Ashlu River bill.

Bill 30 contained a section that removed the ability of local governments to make decisions on the placement of these river-diversion projects on local rivers.

Prior to the passing of this bill, local governments could speak for the people, and in the case of the Ashlu River, the local opposition to the diversion of the river stopped the project from going ahead.

Bill 30 changed everything. The Campbell government’s legislation eliminated the public’s right to decide, and the Ashlu River power project has now been built over the objections of local residents.

People tell me that if these power projects are the right thing to do, the government should be able to come to our communities and convince us. The fact that the government instead chose to cut local people out of the process makes people wonder if there isn’t an ulterior motive to the BC Liberal Energy Plan.

I believe that we need to do power production right. We need to ensure that projects make environmental sense and that they are regionally planned.

Constituents tell me that they want to have a say on what happens on their rivers, and that is exactly what my constituents deserve.

You can contact me by email at Norm.Macdonald.mla@leg.bc.ca or by phone: 1-866-870-4188 or by mail at: Norm Macdonald, MLA; Box 2052, Golden, B.C. V0A 1H0.