Source of image: vancouversun.com

B.C. First Nation chiefs urges the government to reject BC Hydro’s $8-million Site C hydroelectric megaproject. B.C. Hydro wants to construct a dam and 1,100-megawatt hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeastern B.C. The project is needed because of growing population and the area’s oil, gas and mining industries. However, First Nations group argues flooding valley would impair their rights to fish, hunt and use the area for ceremonial purposes.

There is a conflict of interest exists. The First Nation groups have the right to stand out. There are social cultural issues behind it. They may claim that the land belongs to them and they cannot be affected. For the B.C. Hydro, the project may create benefits to them. But they have to consider the First Nations’ interests as one important external factor. And the company should have done the social-environmental analysis carefully before the project. For the First Nation groups, which has the responsibility to protect the interests of the local aboriginal people near the Peace River and does not share the benefits from this project, may have a different point of view. As non-aboriginal Canadians would not worry too much about fishing, hunting and so on. But the aboriginal people may take these things very seriously, consider as their rights. This is totally a cultural difference. Therefore, I would say the problem comes from B.C. Hydro’s incomplete social-environmental research and possible misconception towards the First Nations, thus leads to their fightback. So far, It’s not going to be easy to solve this problem, as the First Nation chiefs are going to address the issue to the Prime Minister. Hope it will be settled soon through peaceful negotiations.