PEOPLE POWER is a six-chaper 50 minute DVD designed to help activists launch grassroots community-based campaigns to protect public power and the environment.
Unique meeting of environmental, First Nations, community and other groups opposed to private power projects: October 4th & 5th
Posted September 29th, 2008
VANCOUVER - A unique province-wide conference taking place in Vancouver on October 4th and 5th will bring together more than 150 prominent representatives from First Nations, environmental, conservation, community, and labour organizations, as well as lawyers and academics, to discuss the negative consequences of British Columbia's rapidly expanding use of private power.
Speakers at the MORE POWER TO YOU conference, organized by BC Citizens for Public Power, include Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Chief of the Penticton Indian Band and President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs; Rafe Mair, former broadcaster, political commentator, and spokesperson for Save Our Rivers Society; Gwen Barlee and Joe Foy from the Western Canada Wilderness Committee; John Calvert, Simon Fraser University professor and author of Liquid Gold: Energy Privatization in British Columbia; Marvin Shaffer, consulting economist and SFU adjunct professor; and Craig Orr, Executive Director of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society.
“This is a gathering of representatives from diverse sectors of the province who otherwise might never meet,” said Melissa Davis, BC Citizens for Public Power Executive Director. “While the conference provides an opportunity to share various perspectives, priorities, and issues associated with British Columbia's increasing reliance on private power, all those attending are deeply concerned about the negative impact that private power projects are having—on BC’s rivers, streams, and creeks; on wildlife and aquatic species; on aboriginal title and rights; on labour; and on consumers who face escalating rates.”
The conference is an educational forum and will also provide training tools and resources for grassroots activists wanting to launch campaigns in their own communities, Davis explained.
Conference presenter Gwen Barlee of the Wilderness Committee commented: "This conference is a must for people who care about our streams and rivers and the fact that they are being handed over to corporate interests.”
The conference agenda, including a full list of speakers, is available online at:
DATE: Saturday, October 4th & Sunday, October 5th 2008
For more information: Melissa Davis (w) 604.681.5939 or (m) 778.887.5878.
The conference is an educational forum and will also provide training tools and resources for grassroots activists wanting to launch campaigns in their own communities, Davis explained.