And now, a message from Mike Farnworth

Via the Mike Farnworth campaign mailing list, March 29th:

Welcome to another campaign update from Team Farnworth! This week, Mike Farnworth talks about his environmental platform, and a recent op-ed from Mike on IPPs.
Farnworth highlights his comprehensive environmental platform as party debates enter second week

Environmental stewardship and dedication to sustainability have been at the top of the agenda for Mike since he launched his campaign in January, and today he reiterated his commitment to make the implementation of the principles of Sustainable BC a top priority when he is elected leader of the BC NDP.

"Protecting our environment was the reason I first got into politics. But we need to do more than just protect our environment. We need to be sure that all policy decisions are made through the lens of sustainability," he says.

"I believe that British Columbians are ready to starting asking the big questions about how we live not only within our means financially but also environmentally. As leader, I will ensure that the BC NDP becomes the political home for all those who care about the environment, those who want to address climate change and those who are ready to embrace a green and sustainable economy."

In February, Mike unveiled his comprehensive environmental platform. The Western Canada Wilderness Committee, one of BC's most influential environmental organizations, quickly dubbed it 'impressive'. Mike also received kudos for his vision from party activists and MLAs alike.

Mike's vision includes a moratorium on independent power projects (IPPs) and a promise to open up existing energy purchase agreements to public scrutiny. Mike has a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change and to shift carbon tax revenue towards much needed transit infrastructure. He is also committed to protecting wild salmon and species at risk.

Mike also released a sustainable agriculture and food security plan that won him the endorsements of agricultural heavyweights such as former Agriculture Minister Corky Evans, former MLA and father of the Agriculture Land Commission Harold Steves, and current NDP agriculture critic and MLA Lana Popham.

Many of you have written asking for Mike’s views on Independent Power Projects.

Here’s an excerpt from a guest article Mike recently wrote for The Common Sense Canadian on the issue. You can read the whole article here:

Public power for the public good
By Mike Farnworth

There’s a discussion that needs to take place in this province around the legacy of one of British Columbia’s greatest builders.

That person was W.A.C. Bennett. Partisan politics aside, all British Columbians owe the first Premier Bennett a debt for his leadership in creating B.C. Hydro, and establishing the importance of public, large-scale hydroelectric power to both our province’s economic development and environmental protection.

The vision that he showed back in the 1950s and 60s has served this province well to the current day, and that vision is public power for the public good. It is a vision that I believe in, and one I am committed to fighting for as leader of the BC NDP, and as Premier of the province.

It’s a vision we need to build on, but also one we need to protect. As I’ve said throughout my campaign, I believe that our social and economic development must be developed through the key lens of sustainability. And public power is one of the most sustainable public assets we have, one that must be protected.

That is why a key part of my extensive environmental policy platform has been to protect these assets. I have committed to:

• Ending the sell-off our public assets by placing a moratorium on all new independent power projects (IPPs);
• Ending the secrecy surrounding IPPs by opening up all existing power purchasing agreements to public review and scrutiny, and, where possible end or amend agreements that don’t serve the public interest; and,
• Reinstating independent oversight of the BC Utilities Commission.

Public power has been one of the best economic advantages this province has had, and can and should continue to have for generations to come.

 

Sincerely,

Team Farnworth