Dear Editor:
Re: Burnaby-Lougheed MLA is MIA, Letters to the editor, Burnaby NOW, Sept. 27.
I fully understand and share the frustration that Mr. Jim Ervin expressed in his recent letter to the editor regarding the Liberal government's smart meter program.
In my short time as a new MLA for our community in Burnaby-Lougheed, I have already heard, on multiple occasions, from constituents and businesses their growing concerns about the smart meters and the fees the Liberal government plans to impose on those who choose to opt out of the program. These concerns are further compounded by the coming massive rate hike for B.C. Hydro due to Liberal mismanagement of our public utility.
I have raised this issue with the New Democrat energy critic John Horgan. Together we are working to hold the Liberals to account for its expensive smart meter boondoggle, even with the government having again cancelled the fall legislative session.
We have to remember that the Liberal government brought in this billion-dollar program without any oversight by the independent B.C. Utilities Commission. And they refused to allow customers to opt out of the program without paying a hefty fee. If the Liberal government had allowed the BCUC to reject the fees through special direction, this unfair smart meter fee-grab could have been avoided.
As a deputy opposition critic for small business, tourism, arts and culture and multiculturalism, and as an advocate for Burnaby-Lougheed, I look forward to continuing to speak out and work on behalf of our community on issues such as this that matter to people.
Jane Shin, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed
