Protesters have camped out near the Site C dam project in northern B.C since December 31, 2015 (Yvonne Tupper)
By The Canadian Press, February 29, 2016
VANCOUVER – A judge has granted BC Hydro an injunction to remove people protesting the Site C dam project at a tent camp near Fort St. John.
The ruling means demonstrators have no right to obstruct the hydroelectric project, which has regulatory approval from both the federal and provincial governments.
The utility argued last week that the actions of a group of Peace Valley farmers and First Nations were illegal and could cost millions of dollars.
BC Hydro lawyers told court the protesters set up camp in late December and have prevented workers from clearing the area for construction, even building camp fires near tree-felling and excavation operations.
Yvonne Tupper of the Saulteau First Nations said outside court that BC Hydro is violating Treaty 8 Tribal Association’s rights and that the project should be put on hold while legal challenges make their way through the courts.
The $8.8-billion dam will flood agricultural land and First Nations archeological sites, as well as hunting and fishing areas
BC Hydro granted injunction against Site C protesters
Site C protesters set up camp in December preventing workers from clearing land slated for dam construction
CBC News, Feb 29, 2016
The B.C. Supreme Court has granted BC Hydro an injunction to remove protesters from its Site C dam project near Fort St. John, B.C..
Hydro argued in court last week that the actions of a group of Peace Valley farmers and local First Nations are illegal and were costing the utility company millions of dollars in delays.
Protestors set up the camp in December preventing worker from accessing an area that was to be cleared for construction.
But a defendant in the court case says he and fellow protesters simply wanted their voices heard, and they didn’t intend to break any laws.
“We are all law-abiding citizens who have strong feelings and frustration that here hasn’t been any true forum where we can make our case,” said Ken Boon, one of the defendants named in the injunction application.
Boon said the protest started from the frustration some people felt about the government’s lack of action on the project’s environmental impact.
Opponents have argued that the nearly $9 billion dam will have a devastating impact on the area because it will flood agricultural land, First Nations archeological sites, and hunting and fishing areas.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hydro-granted-injunction-against-site-c-protesters-1.3469570
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B.C. Hydro must and foremost abide by the laws of the treaty, must be honored by the Court of B.C. and Court of Canada. Otherwise, B.C. can be sued a few $billion or $trillion for damages already.
It turns out that Justice Butler was appointed to the bench in 2007 . . .by the Liberals, and his firm has donated over $57,000 to the BC Liberal party in the last 20 years. This firm is also instrumental in vetting candidates for the Liberal party. Does this decision smell a little bit of conflict of interest, or does it just smell period.
Reblogged this on Dolphin.
Why are we worried about costing hydro millions when they waste millions annually? What about the loss that these farmers and hunters will face? Another case of total lack of consideration for people over Corporations.