Wednesday, January 5, 2011 - North Shore News - A7
Peace River to Louisiana: one easy railroad
“The important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
ALBERT Einstein, of course, is most famously known as the proponent of his theory of relativity, a subject about which I am woefully ignorant. So when I was asked for a name for this space, I had no idea he and I would have seen eyeto-eye on the need for endless questions and curiosity. So, on the understanding that I may never receive an answer, or that the answers I do receive may not always be the truth, this column is written according to the Chinese proverb: She who asks may be a fool for an hour, but she who does not ask will remain a fool forever. The first and overriding question is this: Other than the B.C. Liberal government, what connection could there be between: fish-farms; independent power producers (IPPs); BC Hydro; the construction of the Site C dam in Northern B.C., Alberta tar sands and the
Just Asking
Elizabeth James Enbridge pipeline; and, the sale of B.C. Rail to CN? Well, at the risk of spending considerable time in a fool’s paradise, let’s see if a few dots can be connected: Dots 1, 2 and 3: Aquaculture, IPPs and BC Hydro: Biologist Alexandra Morton has drawn a straight line between marine-based open-containment fish-farms and an explosion of sealice on wild salmon in the Broughton Archipelago. Morton supporter and crusader in his own right, former CKNW broadcaster, Rafe Mair — then and now an indefatigable foe of fish-farms in B.C. waters — said he had come to the conclusion there was only one explanation for the B.C. Liberals’ determination to approve aquaculture licences for Norwegian corporations: “When there are no more
wild fish, there will be no need to protect our rivers.” Strong words; but as a man who once served as minister of environment, Mair was in a position to know. For him, despite Gordon Campbell’s 2001 pre-election promise — “A B.C. Liberal government will not sell or privatize BC Hydro dams, transmission lines, water resources or other core assets” — the writing was on the wall. And when British Columbians realized the extent to which the premier had orchestrated BC Hydro’s secretive run-of-river contracts with IPPs, many decided Mair had it right. This change in provincial energy policy was the culmination of lobbying by private producers that had persisted since Social Credit days. Worse still, following the 2002 outsourcing of more than 25 per cent of BC Hydro to Bahama/ Ireland-based Accenture, the change moved the province dangerously close to an irretrievable privatization of B.C.’s entire power grid. Indeed, as noted by the group Citizens for Public Power, under the B.C. Liberals’ 2002 Energy Plan, updated in 2004 and 2006/2007, “BC Hydro
“Committed to Excellence”
was prohibited from creating any new power generation facilities, with the exception of Site C in the Peace River District. . . ” In brief, even if Site C goes ahead — and environmental and engineering field studies are already underway as part of Stage 3 of the project — and assuming it remains solvent, BC Hydro will still be obligated to purchase power from IPPs at rates
well in excess of its own per-megawatt production costs — even during periods when that power is surplus to domestic needs. Retired economist Erik Andersen stated in his North Shore News story Balancing Act (Sept. 19, 2010), “As British Columbians, we have a collective responsibility to honour all debts and obligations entered into on our behalf. This means that
whatever is done by BC Hydro ends up on our plates — either as taxpayers or as customers.” And by that means, the Campbell Liberals will have neatly drafted us to relinquish most, if not all, of our public asset in favour of subsidizing private, often foreign-owned, power corporations who are denying us access to our See Connect page 8
Transitioning Through Divorce A Workshop for Women Thursday, January 13, 2011 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Capilano Library, Edgemont Village 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, Potlach Room Tickets are free of charge
Limited Seating – Must Call to Register Call 604-913-4399
Abby Petterson
Family Therapist – AJ Petterson & Assoc. Inc.
Tracy Theemes
Financial Advisor – Sophia Financial Group Raymond James
Deborah Lynn Zutter Family Law Lawyer
WestVancouver Secondary School’s
IB Diploma Programme 2011/12
You are invited . . . Please join us for an IB Parent Information Evening: Dr. Earl Gowda
Dr. Minko Bach
Dr. Earl V. Gowda, BSc. D.D.S. (Certificate in Restorative Dentistry) is welcoming Dr. Minko Bach, D.D.S. to his team commencing January 7th, 2011. Our practice, renowned for excellence in Oral Rehabilitative Prosthodontics, Crown and Bridge and General Restorative Dentistry, is pleased to expand it’s services with Dr. Bach’s extensive experience in all aspects of General, Cosmetic and Family Dentistry including Crown and Bridge Restorative procedures, Cosmetic Veneers, Dental Implants, Periodontal Therapy, Root Canal Therapy, Oral Surgery, Removable Prosthodontics as well as Pediatric Dentistry. We welcome children, adults and seniors. We file insurance claims for you. Ample and convenient parking available. Close to Public Transport.
NEW PATIENTS AND EMERGENCIES ARE WELCOME.
#204-1571 Bellevue Avenue (Bellevue & 16th) West Vancouver, BC Tel: 604-922-0818 | Fax: 604-926-7352 Email: TimeSquareDentistry@gmail.com
Monday, January 10, 2011 at 7:00 pm Kay MeekCentre 1700 MathersAve.,WestVancouver We are also pleased to invite current Grade 9 and 10 students to participate in an IB testing session for 2011/12 entry:
• Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 3:30 pm, or • Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 10:00 am WestVancouver Secondary School 1750 MathersAve.,WestVancouver • Excel in a rigorous learning environment • Internationally recognized • Earn university credits or advanced placement
Learn more at www.sd45.bc.ca or (604) 981-1100