Citizen-funded radio ads urge BC government to cancel Site C dam
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 9, Vancouver (Coast Salish Territories) – A broad alliance of citizen-led groups is launching a series of hard-hitting radio ads to help convince the government of Premier Horgan to cancel the Site C Dam, which former Premier Clark had tried to advance beyond the point of no return.
The first ad, which launches today, urges listeners to contact their MLA to express opposition to the dam, ahead of the BC government’s decision on whether to proceed with the multi-billion dollar project.
“Building Site C would waste $12.5 billion on power BC doesn’t even need, while our schools and hospitals are crying out for funding,” says Sierra Club BC’s Peace Valley Campaigner, Galen Armstrong. “We urge the BC government to cancel this disastrous project.”
Immediately after the BC Government announces a decision on Site C at the end of the year, the groups will put a second ad on air to respond to the government’s decision.
“We’re taking a ‘carrot or stick’ approach,” says campaigner Jolan Bailey of Leadnow. “We hope Premier Horgan’s government cancels the dam, so we can flood the airwaves with a message celebrating their courageous decision. But if they cave into vested interests pushing for the dam, we’re ready to call them out with a hard-hitting ad campaign. We will never ever stop fighting until we stop this terrible dam project.”
The Nov. 1 report from the BC Utilities Commission estimated that the Site C dam would run over budget and is behind schedule. The report also found that additional power is not needed, and that if it ever were needed, smaller alternative clean energy sources could generate electricity at a similar or lower cost, and power from BC’s Columbia River Treaty entitlement could be had at a far lower cost than Site C.
“If the Site C dam goes forward, our hydro rates will go through the roof.” says Joe Foy, Wilderness Committee National Campaign Director. “Premier Horgan campaigned to make life more affordable, and scrapping Site C would be a giant step forward.”
The BC government plans to announce a decision on the dam before the end of the year, after consulting with impacted First Nations.
“We applaud the government’s promise to implement the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Peoples. Site C does not have the free prior and informed consent of local First Nations, and if this government is serious about their commitment to reconciliation, they must cancel the dam immediately,” says Morag Keegan-Henry, an organizer with FightC
The radio campaign was funded by Leadnow, Wilderness Committee, Sierra Club BC and FightC as well as donations from hundreds of British Columbians. Ads will run on Vancouver radio stations CFOX, Rock 101 and AM730.
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Media contacts:
Jolan Bailey – Campaigner, Leadnow | 604-441-6916
Galen Armstrong – Peace Valley Campaigner, Sierra Club BC | 778-679-3191
Morag Keegan-Henry – Organizer, FightC | 778-998-6793
Joe Foy – National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee | 604-880-2580
