Dear editor,
As Canada’s doorway to the Asia-Pacific, B.C. is well-poised to be a 21st Century economic leader nationally and internationally.
We have natural resources that are in demand and we have a provincial government that understands very clearly jobs flow from removing barriers to investment while also having our economic and fiscal houses in order.
However, the investment and economic activity being driven by the province’s well-considered job creation plan means B.C. is going to need a substantial amount of new energy, and hopefully most of that new energy will come from clean, renewable sources.
In fact, given the level of economic growth planned for B.C., particularly in the north of the province, it pretty much renders any previous discussion about electricity self-sufficiency moot.
Clearly, B.C. is going to need far more electricity than previously thought and likely far sooner than expected.
It therefore seems logical to move beyond any question of energy self-sufficiency and, instead, take steps to make sure the clean energy we need to power sustainable economic growth, jobs and prosperity is available when and where it’s needed.
If we can do that successfully, then B.C. will truly be poised to take its place as a leading 21st Century economy.
Pamela Gardner
Burnaby, BC