Is Site C the wrong energy project for BC?

Is Site C the wrong energy project for BC?

 

This week Conversations That Matter looks at Site C from the legal perspective of two Treaty 8 First Nations, the West Moberly and Prophet River, who say their rights are being infringed upon and we also have a conversation about BC Hydro’s numbers. Do they add up?

Both Indigenous legal rights lawyer Gordon Christie and Eoin Finn of the NGO, the Pacific Electricity Ratepayers Association, while approaching the topic of Site C from different perspectives, argue that Site C is the wrong project.

 

Mr. Christie points out that since the Delgamuukw and Tsilhqot’in Land Claims decisions in the Supreme Court of Canada, treaty rights issues have been pushed into the consultation arena that is at the core of the land claims rulings. Mr. Christie says this is wrong, he says, treaty rights are not negotiable, they are entrenched and he contends those rights are being abused.

 

Mr. Finn goes into great detail about the numbers and he says,  “our Columbia River Treaty, agreement is 80% plus of the size of the proposed power from Site C.”  He adds in technological innovation that has seen a per person usage drop and he challenges Hydro’s population increase numbers. Add in an expansion of renewable energy sources and Mr. Finn says we don’t need Site C.

 

Conversations That Matter is a partner program with the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for these important and engaging Conversations shaping our future.

 

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