The proposed $12 billion Site C Dam has been controversial since it was originally proposed, more than 50 years ago. This project appears to violate Treaty 8, which granted use of the land that will be submerged to local First Nations. The B.C. Utilities Commission turned the project down twice, because B.C. Hydro could not prove there was a need for the power. Many believe that is why Premier Christy Clark’s Government has not allowed the commission to review the project during her tenure. The Canadian Government is now deeply involved in this project, which means local landowners, First Nations and environmentalists are attempting to defend the Peace River Valley against the very people who were elected to look after their interests. There are new evidences of the continued miscarriage of government at Site C.
The controversial Site C Dam project was rejected twice (back in the 1980s and 90s), before Premier Christy Clark’s government decided to go over the heads of provincial agencies like the BC utilities Commission and Agricultural Land Commission. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government issued the necessary permits to start construction during the last Federal election. As Treaty 8 gave local First Nations use of the land this project will submerge, it seems likely that a treaty is being broken. Despite all of this, BC Hydro began what many view as the environmental destruction of the Site C Peace River Valley. Since then a new Canadian government has been elected. They spoke of the need for social license and promised a new era of respect for indigenous peoples. Will The Feds Intervene On Site C?
Chief Roland Willson, of West Moberly First Nation, said his people celebrated the 100th anniversary of Treaty #8 in 2014. One of the provisions is that they will be allowed to use the land about to be submerged by the Site C Dam “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows.” This appears to be the Treaty Canada wants to forget.
Local First Nations set up Rocky Mountain Fort Camp before Christmas. There were six to eight members of the newly formed Treaty 8 Stewards of the Land sleeping there last night. Spokesperson Art Napoleon said First Nations originally talked about taking a stand near the site of the proposed Site C Dam, but B.C. Hydro’s work crews moved too fast. The once pristine forest that stood there has been destroyed. So First Nations decided to block this most recent perceived violation of Treaty 8 by setting up Rocky Mountain Fort Camp. BC Hydro employees have already scouted the camp. They could be preparing to seek an injunction, but this will not make the First Nations move. Treaty 8 Stewards of the Land are prepared to be arrested.
The most recent of British Columbia’s 21 proposed LNG facilities has just been taken off the books. Between 60 and 70 LNG Carriers were to have loaded up at Tsawwassen every year. Though it is not known how many would have gone to band members, there were 50 to 100 full time jobs. Only at a vote taken at 11 PM on December 15, 53% of Tsawwassen First Nation voted against LNG development.
