The B.C. government has issued permits authorizing construction of Site C, the massive $8.8 billion hydro-electric project.
The provincial government approved 24 authorizations, with conditions. Seven authorizations were issued under the Land Act, five under the Forest Act, eight under the Water Act and four under the Wildlife Act. As the project proceeds, additional authorizations under numerous statutes will be required for the life of the Site C project.
As part of the decision-making process, each application for the construction phase of Site C was reviewed for its potential impacts on the environment and adverse impacts on treaty rights. Consultation with Treaty 8 First Nations began in August 2014 and concluded last month.
Site C will provide approximately 10,000 direct jobs during construction. The project will generate enough electricity to power about 450,000 homes per year – an 8 per cent increase in supply to BC Hydro’s system in 2024.
Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Steve Thomson said the Site C project will proceed despite facing several lawsuits from different parties.
