‘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.

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. 

Site C protesters end blockade

Opponents of Site C dismantle the remote protest camp that stalled BC Hydro dam construction work for two months. (Christy Jordan-Fenton via CBC News)

Local farmer says protesters are crying and emotional but packing up “as law abiding citizens”

By Betsy Trumpener, CBC News, March 01, 2016

Site C protesters who’ve been stalling dam construction in northern B.C. say they’re packing up and ending their two-month land occupation so they won’t be arrested.

Reached this afternoon at their remote Rocky Mountain Fort protest camp, Site C opponents told CBC News they are obeying Monday’s B.C. Supreme Court order requiring them to leave the area and allow site-clearing work by BC Hydro contractors to proceed, southwest of Fort St John.

B.C. court rules against Site C dam protesters, says campers can be removed

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.

BC Hydro seeks injunction against Site C protesters

David Suzuki, third from the right, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, centre, joined protesters at the Site C protest camp at Rocky Mountain Fort earlier this month. (Yvonne Tupper/Facebook)

David Suzuki, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip rally in opposition to controversial project

CBC News, Feb 22, 2016

BC Hydro is seeking an injunction today in B.C. Supreme Court as it looks to end to the protest against its controversial Site C dam project.

The Crown corporation says the injunction is necessary to keep the project on schedule and budget, and claims protesters have prevented contractors from completing their work. It is also seeking punitive damages and costs. 

BC Hydro seeks injunction against Site C dam project protesters

Protesters at the Site C dam project in northern B.C. have been posting signs like these around the worksite. (Yvonne Tupper)

Protesters say they’re ‘shocked’ as they were expecting to negotiate with BC Hydro

CBC News, Jan 20, 2016

BC Hydro is seeking an injunction against protesters at its Site C dam project, claiming they have been preventing contractors from completing their work on the south bank of the Peace River since Jan. 4.

In a petition filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Hydro asks for an injunction to prevent protesters from impeding work on the site and from threatening or intimidating contractors. The utility is also asking for punitive as well as general damages and costs. 

Treaty 8 First Nations split over BC Hydro’s Site C dam

 Some want to fight it; others want to negotiate for compensation worth millions

Protest by some Treaty 8 First Nations against Site c dam.

By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, December 8, 2013

THE PEACE RIVER — BC Hydro’s planned $7.9-billion Site C dam has caused a split among Treaty 8 First Nations over whether to fight the mega-project tooth and nail or participate in negotiations leading to compensation settlements.