M.P. Keith Martin demands CIDA act responsibly

By Other News Sources on May 29, 2001 • ( Leave a comment )

May 29, 2001

Dr. Keith Martin, Member of Parliament and Official Opposition Critic for Latin America and Africa today asked the Minister Responsible for CIDA to release the environmental impact assessment report on the Chalillo dam project in Belize.

(1)Belize dam project must be stopped, May 18, 2001
(2)Transcript from the House of Commons Debate, May 18, 2001 @11:45am
(3)Keith Martin warns of Chalillo dam envinmental disaster, May 10, 2001

Belize dam project must be stopped
Dr. Keith Martin, M.P. news release, May 18, 2001

Dr. Keith Martin, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca and Official Opposition Critic for Latin America and Africa today asked the Minister Responsible for CIDA to release the environmental impact assessment report undertaken by the department, to the tune of $250,000, on the Chalillo Dam project in Belize. The dam, initiated by the Canadian firm Fortis Inc., will flood critical habitat of many endangered species in Central America. Fortis’ own consultant has said that the projects costs far outweigh the benefits.

Dr. Martin said, "CIDA must reveal its environmental assessment of the project and must do all that it can to stop this dam from proceeding."

Transcript from the House of Commons Debate
Oral Question Period: CIDA
May 18, 2001 @11:45am

Mr. Keith Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, CIDA is helping to fund the Chalillo dam project in Belize with taxpayer money.

Consultants to Fortis, the Canadian company pursuing it, have said that the project will have major negative and long term effects and that the benefits from the dam will be significantly lower than the costs because it will destroy critical habitat in the country.

Why has the minister responsible for international development seen fit to support such a destructive project?

[Translation]

Mr. Eugène Bellemare (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Cooperation, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the question is a very good one. Unfortunately, the member is out to lunch.

[English]

CIDA is providing funding toward the preparation of environmental and social assessments and for public consultation only. We are not contributing to the construction of any dam.

Mr. Keith Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, this is a Canadian company that has a monopoly on the project in Belize. The project will fracture a critical area of biodiversity that stretches from Mexico to Panama.

Why does the government not take responsibility, deal with the company and block this environmental catastrophe?

Mr. Eugène Bellemare (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, if there is an environmental problem we will present our report to the country of Belize so it can make a judicious decision as to whether it should or should not go ahead with the project.

* * *

Keith Martin warns of Chalillo dam envinmental disaster
Dr. Keith Martin, M.P. news release, May 10, 2001

Dr. Keith Martin, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, warned that Fortis Inc.’s plan to flood the Macal River Valley in Belize is an environmental disaster. This dam, which has been identified by Fortis’ own consultants as having "major, negative, and long term effects," while at the same time offering "benefits significantly lower than the cost," would wipe out the only nesting sites for the scarlet macaw, vital jaguar habitat, and two ancient Mayan settlements. Furthermore, this project has received $250,000 from the Canadian International Development [Agency] which has refuesd requests to make public the project’s justification and environmental assessment report.

Dr. Martin said, "CIDA is violating its own sustainable development policy by using tax payer’s money to fund the Chalillo dam in Belize."

Mr. Martin is calling for CIDA to release its environmental assessment of this project and Fortis to halt development.