(March 10, 2000) ‘Canadian engineers have offered studies supporting the dam. Canadian branches of companies such as GE and Siemens have provided turbine generators for the project. On the other side, groups such as Probe International have led the fight against [it].’)

Beijing: At a time when many countries are questioning the benefits of damming their rivers to harness electricity, China’s government has announced it is almost finished building the world’s largest dam. … “What’s the result? First, it’s the huge cost from resources and environment, and who will take the cost? It’s the ordinary people,” environmental activist Dai Qing told CTV News. … Environmentalists like Dai believe it is threatening the drinking water of major cities like Chongqing. “The Yangtze used to be so clear, I could drop a pen and see it float to the bottom, but now it’s a dirty muddy river, and the water is no longer good for drinking,” says Dai. The towns that were flooded over during the building of the dam were never cleaned of toxic waste, she says. “There was never a budget for clean-up. On the bottom of the reservoir, there is now hospital, factory, pig and animal waste. It will all be stirred up.” … Dai says corrupt officials have stolen much of the compensation that was supposed to go to the dislocated. … When it comes to the Three Gorges, Canadians have been on both sides of the debate. Canadian engineers have offered studies supporting the dam. Canadian branches of companies such as GE and Siemens have provided turbine generators for the project. On the other side, groups such as Probe International have led the fight against the hydroelectric project. …… Read the full story.

CTV Newsnet, (March 10, 2000)