MORE POWER TO YOU, an Energizing Experience

By 8:15 am on the morning of October 4, a long line had formed at the registration table at the More Power to You Conference.  Participants patiently sipped coffee as the conference organizers tended to the early crush of registrants.  “This is great,” whispered Melissa Davis, the Executive Director of BC Citizens for Public Power, as she rushed by carrying supplies.  The conference was held downtown Vancouver at the SFU Harbour Centre, but close observation of the line indicated that most participants weren’t local.  People had traveled from far a field as Nelson and Williams Lake, Powell River and Victoria, Golden and Port Moody—all in the name of public power. 

BC Citizens for Public Power was the driving force behind the two day conference aimed at educating and connecting people fighting the privatization of BC Hydro, and streams and rivers across the province.  The conference had a capacity of 150 people; it sold out in early September with many other people adding their names to a waiting list.

Davis and her Board of Directors saw the need for the More Power to You conference after speaking with several individuals and organizations in smaller communities throughout BC.  "They felt isolated," said Davis.

"Private power projects are more prevalent in rural communities and many people feel threatened by the massive developments in their backyards."

LeeAnn Unger, a campaigner with the West Kootenay Eco Society, remarked, “The victory in the Upper Pitt was so important, but those of us who live far outside of the lower mainland worry about getting the necessary attention.  Unlike folks in Maple Ridge, we aren’t 45 minutes away from a large newspaper or TV station, and we’re facing major development.  That’s why it’s so important for us to connect with the activists in Metro Vancouver and across the province.  You draw strength from being part a larger movement, and you hear about projects all over the province—truly amounting to a province-wide mega-project.”

Keynote speakers at the conference included Drs. Marvin Shaffer and John Calvert, who both eloquently explained their respective research and took several detailed questions from the crowd.  Another speaker was famed broadcaster, former Minster of the Environment and Save Our Rivers Society spokesman Rafe Mair.  Mair gave one of his rousing speeches to the assembled, urging all to remember that while the conference was non-partisan, the issue of private power is intensely political.    

While all the workshops focused on giving activists more information, skills and resources, the First Nations workshop and panel was of particular note.  Participants in included Grand Chief Stuart Phillip, Dan George, President of Four Directions Management Ltd., and Chief Nelson Leon, Chief of the Adams Lake Indian Band and Representative on the First Nations Leadership Council and the BC First Nations Energy Working Group.  The panel spoke at length, detailing their concerns including the lack of consultation on BC's Energy Plan, and into the legislation surrounding the Environmental Assessment process.  The panel noted that First Nations groups are only given 30 days to respond to water licence applications, a difficult if not impossible timeline due to the dearth of resources needed to respond to possible impacts, or to make informed consent or consultation with their band members.  The panel closed by asking for greater involvement and dialogue between activists and First Nations groups. 

After the closing panel late on Sunday afternoon, conference participants were clearly eager to apply their newfound knowledge in their home communities.  “This was wonderful—my brain is full,” confided an attendee from the East Kootenays, with a wink.  “I want to get home so I can start working on the private power project on our local creek.  I’ve made some really great contacts here and know I can count on them to help us.  This was so necessary.”