News Release - January 28, 2010

VICTORIA - The B.C. Liberals are mismanaging the opportunity to develop an energy plan that is in the best interest of British Columbians through their secretive, closed-door approach to hearings into electricity policy, say the Official Opposition.

"The B.C. Liberals stacked the deck of the Green Energy Task Force in order to get a result that furthers their agenda of privatization, an agenda that will ultimately undermine our environment and our public power system and lead to huge increases in electricity rates for consumers," said Opposition energy critic John Horgan.

The Green Energy Task Force, appointed in late November to advise the government on the future of our energy sector, has already completed and submitted their report. The 29 members were divided into four advisory groups and were given less than 60 days to do their work, most of which was over the Christmas holidays.

"We need to have a public process that is open and transparent as we explore issues critical to our province's future. Not only were they expected to complete this important work in under two months, but the B.C. Liberals set up a process that completely shut the public out," said Horgan, noting that meetings were held behind closed doors and no minutes have been shared publicly.

Public submissions to the task force, solicited through a website using a series of Gmail accounts, have also been kept secret. Horgan and Opposition environment critic Rob Fleming have submitted a letter to B.C.'s acting Information and Privacy Commissioner Paul Fraser expressing concern and asking for clarification on the Freedom of Information implications of using such non-government emails.

"Using non-government email is a strange way for an official government body to be soliciting feedback from the public. It certainly makes it appear as though they have something to hide," said Fleming.

"The B.C. Liberals promised open and transparent government. If the B.C. Liberals really believe, as the premier has claimed, that ‘secrecy feeds distrust and dishonesty,' then why all the secrecy about green energy policy?" asked Fleming.

"There are already processes in place the government could have used to consult with stakeholders on energy policy that would be accountable and transparent. Public hearings and submissions to bodies such as the B.C. Utilities Commission are made available for anyone to view, which encourages participation in a democratic process. The legislature's Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations is another ideal public forum for discussions on where we want to go with energy policy," said Horgan.

Carole James and the Official Opposition are advocating for positive environmental solutions, including a Green Fund which would see $150 million a year of carbon tax revenue directed towards climate change solutions and transit improvements in communities across the province.

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Media contact: Jennifer Jones 250-889-6308