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NDP Try Out New IPP Deception

March 25, 2009

Victoria– The NDP continue to mislead the public with their flip flop attitude on IPPs, which will cost thousands of jobs and threaten billions in investments, says Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom.

“The NDP want to put a ban on much needed power and devastate an industry that is creating more than 1,000 jobs in B.C. right now,” says Lekstrom. “But the NDP refuse to be honest about their plans. In the last week, the NDP have said all IPPs would be banned. Then last week the NDP energy critic called one IPP ‘a good project’ but added it would not have proceeded if he were in charge. Now today John Horgan unveiled a new position. In these times of global economic uncertainty, it is important to have a clear plan on how to strengthen the economy and ensure B.C. comes out stronger in the future.”

Lekstrom was commenting on Horgan’s letter in today’s Province newspaper: “We won't stop any projects that are underway, but we'll ensure future projects are environmentally sound and benefit the broader public,” wrote Horgan, the NDP’s energy critic.

“It is clear the NDP have no economic strategy and are making up policy on the fly,” says Lekstrom. “It is time for the NDP to admit independent power producers are a key component in developing a secure energy future. IPPs are creating good paying jobs in rural British Columbia and investing billions into supporting our communities. During this global economic crisis every job counts and the NDP need to stop playing games with jobs."

The NDP have consistently rejected every other IPP as a way to generate jobs and clean energy regardless of the proposal, even though the strategy has support from environmental leaders like Tzeporah Berman and many First Nations who depend on those jobs for their communities.

“John Horgan has admitted his party has no plan for growth in the economy under an NDP government,” says Lekstrom. “Our government believes in British Columbia and that’s why we are planning for job and industrial growth and want to ensure new supplies of electricity are clean and renewable."
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