Northwest politicians weigh in on NDP's Site C decision

They're not happy about it, but the BC NDP government of John Horgan
has decided to go ahead with the development of the Site C Hydro project
(Photo from the BC Hydro website)

Yesterday's announcement by Premier John Horgan that the NDP government will continue on with development of the Site C Hydro electric project in the Peace region of the province has received a mixed reaction so far, particularly from those who have concerns on environmental issues in the province.

Mr. Horgan made his announcement on the project yesterday morning, providing a number of themes and contributing factors that led to what he called a very difficult decision and one which for the most part the NDP is noting was caused by the past work on the file by the BC Liberals.



In the Northwest, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice is providing for the NDP's message for constituents, with Ms. Rice taking to her Facebook page to share her thoughts and to deliver the Premier's thinking on the massive, but controversial hydro project.

Among her comments were a relay of the NDP's talking points related to the Liberal's "legacy of megaproject mismanagement" and how it left the NDP in a terrible situation and seemingly with little option but to proceed.

On the Federal side of the issue, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen, a fellow member of the NDP also shared his disappointment at the decision to move ahead with the project.

And much like his provincial partners he too put the finger of blame directly at the feet of the former Premier Christy Clark, throwing Prime Minister Trudeau into the mix as well.

He repeated what has become a frequent call for the need to address the concept of Social Licence for such large scale projects and took aim at what he describes as a lack of proper consultation along the way by both the Provincial and Federal Liberal parties.

The decision to move forward with the proposed development did not sit well with the NDP's partners of the Green Party in the Legislature.

However, as disappointed as leader Andrew Weaver seems to be, the Greens don't seem to be inclined to make it an issue of confidence in the NDP government, nor to bring them down over the controversial project.

The project which has been put into development by BC Hydro can be reviewed here

Some notes on the Site C announcement can be reviewed below:

The Site C Decision

B.C. to proceed with Site C hydroelectric dam
BC Greens won't topple NDP government over Site C decision, Weaver says
John Horgan says completing Site C dam is 'best solution' for B.C.
With Site C approval, BC NDP flows toward political pragmatism
John Horgan's Site C choice a political loss, but a win may not have been possible
John Horgan disappoints both Site C opponents and supporters in northeast B.C.
B.C. government to ahead with Site C hydroelectric dam project
Horgan's Site C promise bridges no divides between applauding supporters and opponents left feeling ignored
Getting to Site C yes Driven by debt for noting status
NDP government decides to continue construction on Site C dam
Horgan couldn't unscramble Christy Clark's omelette
B.C. government lets $10-billion Site C hydro project go ahead, with regrets
No Magic Solution: Horgan on Approving Site C
Site C: What happens next?
Recall on Site C, Andrew Weaver? Seriously? Careful what you wish for
Andrew Weaver says it would be crass for Greens to raise funds on a "very sad day" for B.C.
First Nations leader slams NDP's decision on Site C project
B.C. government lets $10-billion Site C hydro project go ahead, with regrets
Columbia River Treaty to be renegotiated with U.S. in early 2018
Public interest behind Crown appeal of stay granted to accused killer Jamie Bacon
B.C. government lets $10.7 billion Site C hydro project go ahead, with regrets
Site C not deal-breaker for Greens
Site C was political decision
Dam go-ahead was a foregone conclusion
Site C dam goes ahead, cost estimate now up to $10.7 billion
Environmental groups slam NDO decision to continue with Site C
BC NDP to proceed with Site C dam, total cost raised to $10.7B
Site C opponents slam project ahead of anticipated green light
'A reconciliation fail': B.C. First Nations promise court action over NDP's approval of Site C

Some background on the project which has been put into development by BC Hydro can be reviewed here

More items of note on the work of North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice can be found here.

While our archive of items related to MP Cullen is available here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review