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Honourable Bill Graham, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lester B Pearson Building A-10
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2

Dear Minister Graham,

I am writing to you with grave concerns about the proposed Chalillo Dam in Belize.

As per our conversation in the House on this issue, this dam will block the Macal River in Belize, and destroy the pristine habitat of many endangered species. The Canadian company Fortis is the builder, and is going ahead with their plans to construct the dam despite engineering and environmental studies that show the project is harmful to the environment, will increase energy prices in Belize, destroy priceless Mayan ruins, eradicate critical breading habitats for endangered species, and have a depressing effect on the Belizean economy. This plan is unsound from an environmental, economic and social standpoint, and worse the Canadian company Fortis is building it. CIDA Inc. funded the environmental study that shows the flaws in this project. Despite this, CIDA is not prepared to stand up and oppose the construction of the dam. There are other energy proposals that are better for Belize that CIDA can get involved in. I do not believe Minister Graham that Canada wants its good name attached to such a disastrous project.

Therefore, I respectfully request that you rapidly intervene, and do what you can to halt the construction of the dam.

Best wishes.

Sincerely,

Dr. Keith Martin, M.P.
Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca

c.c.

Denis Paradis, M.P. Room 353 West Block
Hon. Susan Whelan, M.P. Room 109 Justice Building
House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Grainne Ryder
Sharon Matola
Elizabeth May
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