Public forum on transit and energy utilities set for Dec. 1

CHARLOTTETOWN - A public forum is highlighting public transit and public ownership of energy utilities to help P.E.I. achieve carbon reduction goals at the P.E.I. Farm Centre on Dec. 1.

The forum is being held to honour the vision of Ron Kelly, a longtime member of Trade Justice P.E.I. and the P.E.I. Public Transit Coalition.

Kelly was active in many Island groups that were dedicated to social and environmental justice.

The event features speakers on the topics of public transit, public ownership of energy utilities and the importance of organized labour in a just transition.

The forum also features presentations by Scott Edgar, an activist with It's More Than Buses, Tynette Deveaux, who works with the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal

campaign and Karen Jackson, president of P.E.I. Union of Public Sector Employees (UPSE).

“Since Fiona, we've learned

more about the decisions that Maritime Electric (which is owned by the multinational Fortis) has made to protect its bottom line rather than adequately strengthen our energy grid,” said Rosalind Waters, member of Trade Justice P.E.I. and helps organize the forum.

“Ron's vision of Islanders owning their own energy grid is more relevant than ever."

On the public transit front, positive developments have been made over the past year, including the expansion of T3 Transit to include some rural communities along with provincial and federal investments in public transit.

“This is about an essential service that provides significant benefits to people and the planet,” notes Ann Wheatley, another of the forum organizers.

“It improves people's access to healthcare services, reduces social isolation, and by decreasing our reliance on private vehicles, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”