The number of workers on the Site C Clean Energy Project has passed 2,000, according to BC Hydro.
A total of 2,124 individuals were employed by the Site C project in January in both construction and non-construction roles. This includes 1,719 workers from B.C., 677 of which from the Peace River Regional District.” A total of 195 Aboriginal workers, 257 women and 42 apprentices were on working on the project.
“The BC Chamber of Commerce worked alongside local chambers in the northeast region to facilitate workshops that connected BC Hydro with local businesses and expertise, and today we see how this effort has materialized into well-paying jobs for British Columbians,” said BC Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Val Litwin
BC Hydro said the employment numbers related to construction activities on main civil works advances and highway work. Further workers will be added this spring when the turbines and generators contractor, Voith Hydro, begins work on the dam.
The controversial Site C project has been the subject of several legal challenges by First Nations. Last month, the British Columbia Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge brought forth by the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations. The project has been criticized for its potential environmental impacts, which will include the flooding of 83 kilometres of the Peace River Valley that contains farmland and First Nations cultural sites.
- With files from Jonny Wakefield, Dawson Creek Mirror
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