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.

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.

West Moberly First Nations concerned about mercury contamination in fish

West Moberly First Nation Chief Roland Willson holds a frozen bull trout that he says is contaminated with mercury, in front of the Legislature in Victoria on Monday. (Dirk Meissner/The Canadian Press)

Study by the band concludes 98% of fish have mercury levels above provincial guidelines

By Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press/CBC News, May 12, 2015

Members of the West Moberly First Nations say a hydroelectric dam in northeastern B.C. has left fish in the region too contaminated with mercury to eat.

Chief Roland Willson and members of the McLeod Lake Indian Band, located in northeastern British Columbia, arrived at the legislature in Victoria with more than 90 kilograms of bull trout packed in two coolers.

“Typically, you’d be proud of this fish,” he said. “But we can’t eat this.”

Canadian government concludes Site C dam should proceed despite environmental consequences

Protest sign along Peace River in north eastern BC. Photo: The Tyee

Meanwhile, the B.C. government approves environmental certificate for Site C dam

By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, Oct 15, 2014

BC Hydro’s planned $7.9-billion Site C dam on the Peace River passed two governmental hurdles Tuesday, meaning construction could begin in January.

The federal government announced that the 1,100-megawatt dam should proceed, with conditions, despite the likelihood of “significant adverse environmental effects.”

The fate of the controversial megaproject now rests with the province, which has supported the dam from the start. A cabinet decision is expected within weeks.

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.

B.C. Hydro faces widespread community opposition over Site C dam

Protest sign along Peace River in north eastern BC. Photo: The Tyee

by Justine Hunter, The Globe and Mail, Saturday, Dec 7 2013

On a warm, cloudless September afternoon in 1967, premier W.A.C. Bennett clambered into the cab of a 90-ton belly dump truck to spread the last load of fill on what was, at the time, one of the most ambitious and controversial projects undertaken in Canada.