Challenging Unconventional Site C Dam Decision at UBCM Convention

Site C dam opponents gather at UBCM Convention to answer delegate questions

by Wilderness Committee

VANCOUVER – Representatives of the Wilderness Committee and other citizens concerned about the BC government's Site C dam project will gather in front of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention today. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., Site C opponents will be at the entrance to the Vancouver Convention Centre East (999 Canada Place) to answer questions UBCM delegates may have about the much-criticized megaproject.

Several local governments, including Metro Vancouver, have called for an independent review of the Site C dam by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) with full procedural safeguards. A resolution calling for a BCUC review will be put before the UBCM delegates attending the convention.

The provincial government has so far prevented the independent review of the Site C dam project by the BCUC, which would ordinarily be required by law. In its final report, the joint federal/provincial review panel assessing Site C recommended that the project be referred to the BCUC before construction begins.

The joint review panel also concluded that the Site C dam project is not needed at this time and that alternatives that do not cause the same degree of environmental harm should be explored.

"Strong opposition to the Site C dam is growing all across BC," said Wilderness Committee National Campaign Director Joe Foy.

"Despite the lack of BCUC oversight, and despite the findings by the review panel that Site C dam is not needed, the BC government has allowed some clearing and roadwork to proceed. We see this as an attempt to bulldoze legitimate public opposition to this ill-advised project."

Site C opponents point out that:

• Destruction of key food-producing and prime farmland will occur at a time when food security concerns are rising; - Borrowing $8.8 billion to finance the dam will affect the province's capacity to build other major projects;

• The infringement of Aboriginal treaty rights is a major concern, as is the loss of important cultural artifacts and heritage sites; and

• Provincial electricity rates will have to increase to pay for Site C when lower cost options for energy are available.

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For Immediate Release - September 23, 2015
For more information, please contact:

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee

The Wilderness Committee is Canada's largest membership-based, citizen-funded wilderness preservation organization. We work for the preservation of Canadian and international wilderness through research and grassroots education. The Wilderness Committee works on the ground to achieve ecologically sustainable communities.


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