New Democrat
Official Opposition
http://bcndpcaucus.ca

VICTORIA – The Campbell government should listen to the people of Delta about their concerns over the power lines instead of using intimidation tactics to silence them, says New Democrat MLA Guy Gentner.

"The Campbell government is ploughing ahead with its plans to run power lines through residential neighbourhoods without listening to the concerns of Delta residents and the municipality," said Gentner, the MLA for Delta North.

"Now we learn that instead of listening to the concerns and considering alternatives, Campbell is allowing the B.C. Transmission Corporation to intimidate residents as part of a court case," Gentner said. "Carole James and the New Democrats are saying this intimidation must stop and the government should work with the residents and the municipality to resolve the problem."

BCTC admits it has conducted surveillance on Delta residents, including photos and videos of people at their homes.

Gentner says this move is intended to intimidate critics and rush ahead with the project. He noted the City of Delta is challenging BCTC’s plans to proceed with the power line project without seeking any municipal permits for work to be done on city property. Thousands of Delta residents have been protesting the project for several weeks, saying the project will put high power lines past houses and schools, posing a risk to residents' health.

"It’s very disturbing for people in Delta to find out that instead of being listened to, they have been spied on at their homes," said Gentner. "It shows that Campbell doesn’t care about their concerns but just wants to proceed with his own agenda at all costs."

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