For the BC Liberals, the Site C hydroelectric dam project has always been about jobs.
That didn’t change Monday when the B.C. NDP government decided to complete the $10.7 billion project.
“The NDP created another needless review that threatened more than 2,000 jobs, solely for political reasons – to ensure the Greens continue to prop up the NDP government,” said Mike Bernier, MLA for Peace River South, in a press release. “Today, though, is a great day for the First Nations, communities and businesses that depend on Site C to make a living to support themselves and their families.”
While several Indigenous communities have agreements with BC Hydro on Site C, Treaty 8 communities are expected to launch a legal challenge of the approval.
And while the project was over-budget during the Liberals’ tenure in power, the Opposition says it will push to make sure the project stays on budget.
“We will be watching carefully to make sure there are no unnecessary costs that British Columbians will have to pay for on this project like past NDP-led projects, such as the Island Highway which faced extra costs,” said Tracy Redies, BC Hydro critic and MLA for Surrey-White Rock. “The NDP now need to let BC Hydro and the thousands of workers on site do their jobs and finish this project so our province can have clean, reliable energy for generations to come and meet our climate action targets under the Paris Accord.”
