Ottawa, ON— MP Aaron Gunn stood in the House of Commons today and tabled a petition signed by citizens of North Island-Powell River against PREI’s application to the CER for a 30-year power export license.
Powell River Energy Inc. is a fully controlled company of the foreign-owned Brookfield Renewable Partners. According to MP Gunn, “they’re trying to take and use Canadian natural resources, while leaving no benefit to Canadians.”
Since October 6th, citizens of Powell River and surrounding communities have been signing and distributing a petition opposing the export of power generated by Powell River’s natural resources, to be sold to the United States for the next 30 years.
As he tabled the petition, MP Gunn stated that “the approval of this permit would prevent Canadians from making future use of this finite natural resource to meet domestic electricity demand or to support local industries.”
He continued saying that “the dam supported the recently closed pulp mill and thousands of jobs for more than 100 years. That is why they are calling for Canada’s Energy Regulator to reject this permit request.”
Gunn concluded with a strong statement of support, “It is not in Canada’s national interest, the local community does not support it and it undermines the future economic development of the Powell River, the region, the province of British Columbia, and our incredible country. I support my constituents in their mission to put their community first, before foreign-owned actors who want to export their resources.”
-30-
Media:
Sarah Schweitzer, Constituency Assistant
604-764-9061