2 n September 11, 2013
North Shore echo
Taking action against homelessness
Members of several local agencies supporting the Kamloops Homelessness Action Plan recently hosted a roundtable discussion on homelessness with the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State.
BC Hydro cancels four private power contracts The Wilderness Committee recently applauded the news that BC Hydro has cancelled four electricity purchase contracts with independent power producers as part of an attempt to reduce costs. The Wilderness Committee’s National Campaign Director Joe Foy called on BC Energy Minister Bill Bennett to name the projects with cancelled or deferred contracts, and to continue this cost-saving effort by cancelling many more unneeded contracts with private hydropower producers.
“We and many other groups and individuals have been saying for quite some time now that BC Hydro is being bled to death by being forced into long-term contracts with private hydro-power producers at rates far above market value – for electrical energy BC does not need and can only sell at a loss,” said Foy. BC Hydro has currently signed more than $50 billion worth of contracts with private hydropower producers. Critics, including the Wilderness Committee, have said that these contracts risk bankrupting the public
Documenting kids in the arts – continued from page 1 to be committed to the full fiveyear term of the project. In the end, we have 13 or 14 kids who are quite involved in the arts.” “The first year has gone well I think. We were able to establish all the kids’ interests and various things they do,” says Kora of her first experience with documentary-style filmmaking. “I was surprised at the depth of involvement some of them shared when talking about the arts and how they felt. It’ll be interesting to see how the answers from them all grow and change as the years go on.” To view a trailer recently pro-
duced to promote the film, visit youtube.com/watch?v=C4MXTjs PyXc&feature=youtu.be. The festival goes from 11:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, September 14 in Riverside Park and will also have live performances throughout the day. Entertainers include Uncle Chris the Clown, Bishop Dance, WCT Stage One (Hansel & Gretel), and Master Viani›s Tiger Martial Arts. There will also be face-painting, a photo booth, mascots, and more, so come early and stay late and see if you and your little artists can fit it all in! Rebecca Stewart
utility and that private power projects can cause unacceptable damage to BC’s creeks, rivers and lakes. Reports from the announcement stated that the projects identified for cancellation were not meeting contractual obligations, due to financial or regulatory problems. Government documents uncovered by the Wilderness Committee through Freedom of Information requests have revealed rampant noncompliance at operating private hydropower projects in the province – including fluctuating water levels that can strand and kill fish. “Mr. Bennett should be doing everything he possibly can to wriggle out of all of these terrible contracts,” said Foy. “For every billion dollars he claws back by cancelling a contract, BC won’t miss the excess electricity one bit – but the province will save more funding for hospitals or schools and help pull BC Hydro back from financial ruin. And we’ll be saving BC’s beautiful wild waterways from being dammed and diverted into pipes for no useful reason,” he added. The Wilderness Committee is especially concerned about a number of large private hydro-
power projects currently being built or in the planning stage. “The Kokish River on Vancouver Island, the Upper Lillooet north of Pemberton and Kwoiek Creek in the Fraser Canyon are three examples of major private power projects in the works that risk great environmental and financial damage to our province,” said Foy. “These contracts need to be rejected and the projects stopped dead”.
A cultural fiesta The Sociedad Hispana, or Hispanic Society, of Kamloops invites you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a potluck dinner on Saturday, September 21 at Kamloops Immigration Services on Tranquille Road. With roots going back to 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month is the period from September 15 to October 15, when people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrate the group’s heritage and culture. Join them in celebrating the culture with traditional food, dancing, performances, arts and crafts cultural displays and more! The potluck and activities will go from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Contact Yamilka at sociedadhispana@hotmail.com by September 14 to be a part of this festive event!