From newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca Thu Jan 18 20:15:26 2007 From: newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca (BC NDP Newswire) Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 20:15:26 -0800 Subject: [LabComm] B.C. Liberals fail climate change report card Message-ID: B.C. Liberals fail climate change report card VICTORIA -- Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Liberals have received a failing grade on climate change in a report card released today by NDP Opposition Leader Carole James. The report card shows the province's greenhouse gas emissions have increased significantly under Gordon Campbell's leadership. "The Campbell government has failed across the board to address British Columbia's role in climate change," said James. "While other jurisdictions around the world are looking at real steps to halt the growth of and even reduce greenhouse gases, the B.C. Liberals have let provincial greenhouse gas emissions skyrocket. And the Premier's commitment to build conventional coal-fired power plants will significantly increase our overall emissions in future years." The report card shows that B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions were trending downward in 2001. However, the first three years of Gordon Campbell's mandate saw emissions rise more than five per cent, which was the largest increase since 1990. To read more, click here. To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bcndp.ca/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca Mon Jan 29 14:31:08 2007 From: newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca (BC NDP Newswire) Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 14:31:08 -0800 Subject: [LabComm] BC NDP Connection Newsletter Message-ID: BC NDP Connection Newsletter

NDP asks for investigation into Premier's Alcan ties

As a holder of Alcan shares, Gordon Campbell's involvement in Alcan's sweetheart deal with B.C. Hydro gives a perception of a conflict of interest. That's why John Horgan is asking Conflict of Interest Commissioner H.A.D. Oliver to examine whether or not the Premier was in conflict. Premier Campbell's 2006 disclosure showed that Alcan shares were part of his stock portfolio. He had direct involvement in a power sales agreement between B.C. Hydro and Alcan which guaranteed the aluminum giant profits of more than 1,400 per cent. The B.C. Utilities Corporation ruled in late December that the deal was not in the interest of the ratepayers of B.C., but rather in the interest of Alcan shareholders. "The Premier is perfectly within his rights to own shares of a publicly traded company like Alcan," said Horgan, the New Democrat Critic for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. "That's not the issue. "The issue is the Premier's actions. Involving himself in a deal that benefits the stocks in his portfolio is enough to give British Columbians pause." Horgan said there are too many questions unanswered:

When was the Premier aware he had Alcan shares?
Who in the Premier's office was involved in the negotiations of the Hydro-Alcan deal?
Did the Premier or anyone in his office meet with Alcan, and when?
Has the Premier been briefed by Hydro officials on the appeal to BCUC?

"Leaving those questions unanswered will only widen the trust gap that exists between British Columbians and the Premier. "The people of this province need to know their Premier is acting in their best interests, not his own."

NDP MLAs on the Road

Caucus meetings in Courtney were an opportunity for the New Democrat Official Opposition to hear the unique concerns of people in the Comox Valley. "We've taken the caucus on the road before and each time it's been a real eye-opener," said NDP Leader Carole James. "The concerns are similar no matter where we go - people want quality health care, a clean environment and an accountable government - but the particular experiences we hear from the people on the ground are extremely helpful to us. "Those stories only reinforce our desire to hold the B.C. Liberal government to account." As they did in meetings in Prince George and Kamloops last year, caucus met with nearly four dozen interest groups from across the spectrum. Business, political, labour and community leaders brought their concerns to meetings with caucus. James and members of her caucus also took a trip up to Campbell River. "In many cases, these people have been asking for meetings with government for months with no success," said James. "They went four years, from 2001 to 2005, without being able to get a meeting with their own MLA. So I think they were pleasantly surprised that a whole group of us came and asked for them to meet with us. "Premier Campbell and his government have been so unresponsive to the needs of these communities for so long. My caucus is committed to addressing that problem." James chaired a forum on seniors' health while in Courtney. Residents expressed concern with the Vancouver Island Health Authority's plans to shut hospitals in Courtney and Campbell River and replace them with one hospital in between. "The Health Authority needs to step back from this plan and really listen to the concerns we heard these past two days," said James. "Unfortunately, the hallmark of the B.C. Liberal government is not listening. "I'm really grateful to have the chance to meet with and listen to the people in Courtney. It was a really positive experience."

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Road safety can't be done on the cheap, Chudnovsky warns government After driving the highway corridor from Vancouver to Prince George, NDP Transportation Critic, David Chudnovsky, has some serious concerns about road maintenance and safety standards. Read More Coons calls on B.C. Ferries to adopt recommendations on Safety Management System B.C. Ferries should follow George Morfitt's recommendation to pay greater attention to its Safety Management System, NDP Ferries Critic Gary Coons says. Read More Campbell government admits it has no plans to set targets for greenhouse gas reductions It is unacceptable that B.C. Liberal Environment Minister Barry Penner won't commit to setting firm targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Opposition Environment Critic Shane Simpson said today. Read More To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bcndp.ca/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: