Published: February 03, 2009 1:00 PM
Invermere Valley Echo
Letter to the Editor:
In last week's paper, the B.C. Liberal candidate for the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding took exception to the following comment concerning private power projects: “the local B.C. Liberal candidate is in favour of a community being left out of the decision-making process.” He claims that this is an unfounded allegation, but I have yet to hear him say that the government should repeal Bill 30, Section 56 which removed local government's ability to make the decision about whether or not a river-diversion project should go ahead.
The B.C. Liberal candidate goes on to refer to this community's concerns about private power projects as half-truths, innuendo and fear mongering. Tell that to the thousands of people in this area who have signed petitions and attended rallies protesting river-diversion projects.
I feel strongly that my role as MLA is to represent your views, and to protect your interests. When the rivers of my area are at risk, I speak out. When seniors in my area are not being treated respectfully, I speak out. When government policy threatens jobs in my area, I speak out. This is what I promised I would do when you elected me in 2005.
This B.C. Liberal candidate is quite happy to spout the views of the Independent Power Producers and the B.C. Liberals on why you should give up control of your rivers. From 2001 to 2005, the previous Liberal MLA consistently chose Gordon Campbell's agenda over the people of the Columbia Valley every single time.
We don't need another B.C. Liberal who feels his job is simply to promote Campbell's agenda; we need a MLA who will put the interests of this area first.
Norm Macdonald,
Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA