First Nations say they’ve secured major work stoppage on Site C dam in advance of injunction application

Site C dam construction. Photo: Desmog Canada

by Charlie Smith, February 26, 2018

Many assumed the $10.7-billion Site C dam was a done deal when Premier John Horgan announced in December that B.C. Hydro would complete the project.

That perception was reinforced less than two weeks later when the Crown utility chose its preferred proponent for the generation station and spillways civil-works contract.

West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations file court claim to stop Site C

Dam construction violates 1899 treaty and is unconstitutional, notice of civil claim says

By Andrew Kurjata, CBC News, Jan 16, 2018

Two First Nations in northeast B.C. have started legal action against the Site C dam, claiming its construction violates Treaty No. 8 signed 1899, as well as the Canadian Constitution.

In notices of civil claim filed Jan. 15, the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations say the mega-project will infringes on their treaty rights and “fails to uphold the Honour of the Crown.”

‘A reconciliation fail’: B.C. First Nations promise court action over NDP’s approval of Site C

‘There are thousands of people that are bitterly disappointed,’ says leader of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs

By Andrew Kurjata, CBC News, Dec 12, 2017

Moments after B.C. Premier John Horgan announced his government would allow construction of the Site C dam to move forward, the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations promised to go to court to stop the project, while others criticized the NDP for breaking campaign promises to respect the rights of Indigenous people.

BC NDP to proceed with Site C dam, total cost raised to $10.7B

Site C dam construction. Photo: Desmog Canada

By Simon Little, Global News, December 11, 2017

It’s official. B.C.’s NDP government says it will complete the controversial Site C dam megaproject.

“Although Site C is not the project we would have favoured and it’s not the project we would have started, it must be completed to meet the objectives our government has set,” said Premier John Horgan on Monday.

West Moberly, Prophet River First Nations warn Site C approval could lead to billion dollar treaty violation

West Moberly First Nation Chief Roland Willson said B.C. Cabinet members are ‘playing their cards pretty close to their chest’ when discussing how they will proceed on the Site C dam project, but he believes they must cancel it in order to uphold treaty obligations. (Andrew Kurjata/CBC)

The question of whether Site C violates the 1899 Treaty 8 agreement has not been tested in court

By Andrew Kurjata, CBC News, Nov 21, 2017

The West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations have warned they will launch a “billion-dollar lawsuit” testing whether the Site C dam violates their treaty rights should the provincial government decide to proceed with the project.

BC Hydro facing federal order, heavy fines for Site C sediment and erosion problems

Out of the fog, earth moving equipment keeps going at a steady pace on slope stabilization work in the site preparation for BC Hydro’s Site C dam construction project. Derrick Penner / PNG

by Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, January 5, 2017

BC Hydro is facing a federal order as early as Friday and potential fines of up to $400,000 due to erosion and sediment problems at the $9-billion Site C dam project in the province’s northeast.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has issued Hydro with a “notice of intent” to proceed with enforcement action unless the provincial Crown corporation provides assurances that problems are being addressed.

RCMP officers cleared in shooting death of Site C protester in Dawson Creek

The scene of the RCMP shooting in Dawson Creek, BC, July 16, 2015.

James McIntyre was killed by RCMP after he confronted them wearing a mask and wielding a knife

By Andrew Kurjata, CBC News, November 16, 2016

The Independent Investigations Office has cleared an RCMP officer of any wrong-doing in a fatal shooting in Dawson Creek last year.

On the evening of July 16, two officers were dispatched to the Stonebridge Hotel where a meeting on the controversial Site C dam project had just taken place.

Why B.C.’s Site C dam could become a national issue

Opponents of the $8.8 billion dam hope this week’s federal court case marks a tipping point

By Justin McElroy, CBC News, September 11, 2016

For the last week, a large bus with the slogan “Stand with First Nations to protect the Peace River” on its sides has been making its way across Canada.

A federal judge will hear an appeal from two northeastern B.C. First Nations groups in Montreal on Monday about the $8.8 billion dam known as Site C. The Treaty 8 First Nations want construction to stop on the Site C dam site, saying it infringes on their traditional hunting, fishing and trapping rights. 

B.C. Hydro CEO refuses to halt Site C, says Amnesty report wrong

B.C. Hydro president Jessica McDonald says some First Nations groups approve Site C

The Canadian Press, August 10, 2016

B.C. Hydro president Jessica McDonald says the Crown corporation has reached wide-ranging agreements with some First Nations concerned about the $8.8-billion Site-C hydroelectric dam project in northeastern B.C.

McDonald rejects a recent call to halt work on the project, saying talks and consultations have gone on since 2007 and recent agreements will mitigate potential impacts of the project.

Site C shooting ‘forever’ links Anonymous activist, farmer

After RCMP officers fatally shot a masked man outside a Site C open house in 2015, the IIO took over the investigation. But they never interviewed a man linked to the shooting. (CBC)

Retired farmer whose Site C protest triggered RCMP shooting never interviewed by investigators

By Betsy Trumpener, CBC News, July 18, 2016

A man linked to the fatal RCMP shooting of a a masked activist with Anonymous was never interviewed by investigators for B.C.’s police watchdog.

“They have never gotten ahold of me. No, never,” Terry Hadland told CBC News one year after officers killed James McIntyre outside an open house for the controversial Site C dam in northeastern B.C.