The Union of British Columbia Municipalities is calling on the provincial government to send Site C over to the B.C. Utilities Commission.
“(Site C) has raised issues, including the potential impact on BC Hydro ratepayers and provincial taxpayers,” the resolution from the City of Victoria stated. “(The UBCM should) request that the Province of British Columbia refer the proposed Site C hydroelectric dam project to the BC Utilities Commission for review and consultation prior to any construction and development activities proceeding.”
Hudson’s Hope Mayor Gwen Johansson – who has argued in favour of a utilities commission review of the project – was pleased with the outcome.
Hudson’s Hope also brought forward a proposal with similar language that was turned down in favour of the Victoria’s motion. Nevertheless, Johansson said she was pleased to see the resolution coming from outside of Northeast B.C.
“It shows this is not a regional issue, this is a provincial issue,” she said.
“I sense that there is concern across the province in local government that due process was not followed…those regulatory processes are put in place to protect the public interest.”
The first phases of Site C construction began July 27.
“UBCM members have consistently endorsed resolutions supporting a full and robust role for the BC Utilities Commission in the oversight of all power projects undertaken in B.C.,” the UBCM committee wrote.
The UBCM passed two Site C resolutions at its annual meeting.
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) put forward a motion asking the province to rescind a provincial order to exclude 5,340 hectares of land for use by Site C from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
In its arguments, the district noted the decision was made without public input, which wasn’t in line with other ALR exclusions.
“Public participation on such a large and important project as Site C is important for maintaining open and transparent communication with all stakeholders,” district board chair Lori Ackerman wrote in a letter to the province on behalf of the board.
Paul Taylor, director of communications for the UBCM, said that votes at the convention were not recorded.
In the past, Minister Bill Bennett has said he does not want the BCUC to review the project, and that it should not go before the ALC, to avoid duplication of the dam’s environmental review process.
“Essentially what the PRRD is suggesting is that the ALC should have the power of cabinet, with regard to the final decision on whether or not to build the Site C project,” he wrote to the regional district last August. “There are many values that cabinet must weigh and compare when determining what is in the best long term interests of the majority of British Columbians. Loss of ALR land is certainly one of the important values that must be considered and was considered, but is not the only value that guides the provincial cabinet on such a profoundly important decision.”
Johansson said she “(couldn’t) predict what the government is going to do.”
