Half a world away from Canada, a hydroelectric project like no other is underway on China’s Yangtze River. Water from the world’s third-longest river will eventually be harnessed by the planet’s largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges Dam. A Canadian company financed a study on the viability of the dam long before construction began; a study heavily criticized by Toronto-based advocacy group Probe International. Now, with work underway, more Canadian companies see big opportunities with the project.
Other News Sources
American multinationals will plead for Canadian taxpayer subsidies if no US support is given for TG
(December 22, 1995) American multinationals that want contracts to build China’s massive Three Gorges dam will try to get financing from the Canadian government through their Canadian subsidiaries if the U.S. denies them public funds, according to the president of one American company hoping to cash in on the mega-project.
PRESS RELEASE American multinationals will plead for Canadian taxpayer subsidies if no US support is given for TG
December 22, 1995 American multinationals that want contracts to build China’s massive Three Gorges dam will try to get financing from the Canadian government through their Canadian subsidiaries if the U.S. denies […]
American firms appeal to Ex-Im bank to bankroll their exports to controversial Three Gorges dam
(November 29, 1995) American corporations have asked the United States Export-Import Bank to subsidize their exports to the controversial Three Gorges dam in China and Ex-Im has asked environmental and human rights groups for financial, technical and environmental information to help it decide whether or not to do so.
A troubling deposit at World Bank
(November 25, 1995) For 5O years government guarantees have allowed the World Bank and its sister development banks to amass the world’s riskiest loan portfolios. Three months ago, the weakest of these sisters, the African Development Bank, was downgraded. And now for the first time, the World Bank admits that many of its own loans can’t be paid back.
Evildoers sentenced for damaging Three Gorges project
A recent radio broadcast from China has reported that opponents of the massive Three Gorges dam were arrested in October and face up to 20 years in prison. The news report, from the Hubei People’s Broadcasting Station, calls the dissidents "evildoers" and accuses them of damaging power facilities, "indulging in swindling and robbery, hindering the performance of public affairs, provoking disputes and spreading obscene videotapes."
Canadian company to help displace over 1 million Chinese from their homes crown corporation expected
(November 7, 1995) Monenco Agra, a subsidiary of Calgary-based Agra Industries Ltd., plans to help the Chinese government displace more than one million people to make way for the Three Gorges dam.
Chinese leader will aid Chretien award contracts to supporters of the controversial Three Gorges dam
(October 12, 1995) Chinese Premier Li Peng is expected to lend a helping hand to Prime Minister Jean Chretien tomorrow in his bid to secure business for Canadian firms in the construction of China’s Three Gorges dam.
Fall 1995 Campaign Letter
Cyanide devastated Guyana’s main waterway this summer, thanks to a project supported by your tax dollars.
Probe Alert: UN body financing the destruction of two major river systems
(September 2, 1995) Contrary to its ideals of promoting “pro-poor, pro-nature, pro-jobs and pro-women” sustainable human development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has a dismal history of supporting some of the largest and most destructive development projects in the world.
Probe Alert Fall 1995
UN body financing the destruction of two major river systems
Children party of elite quick to prosper in China
(July 20, 1995) Family Ties/ Connection have always mattered, but never as much as today with decentralization and new economic opportunities abounding.
The World Bank
(June 30, 1995) As Congressional budget cutters in Washington prepare to slash US funding for the World Bank by as much as 50 percent, the Bank is desperately trying to polish its tarnished image and rescue its funding.
World Bank Backgrounder # 49
(June 8, 1995) G-7 Communique expected to call on World Bank to strengthen environmental policies, while critics call focus on environment a publicity stunt
Tourist frenzy in Three Gorges to cause chaos, secret Chinese documents predict
Probe International 