Often political, social and environmental factors affect the ventures of energy industries, as seen with BC Hydro’s proposed construction of a dam and 1100 MW hydroelectric station on the Peace River in British Columbia, meeting opposition from First Nation chiefs. Chiefs argue that flooding of the valley “would destroy farmland, wildlife habitat, and impair their rights to fish and hunt”. With both parties seeking to protect their interests, BCHydro targeting the growing population, the First Nations concerned about their lifestyles, this brings up a crucial question in economics: Is it possible for choices to be made pursuit of social interest as well as the self interest?
BC Hydro’s proposed Site C
Can there be a compromise satisifying both parties? Ultimately, I think it is inevitable for an unbalanced compromise, mixed with different considerations of the environmental, political (land rights) and social (way of life) factors. Despite the Supreme Court ruling in June that the Crown can only justify infringing on Aboriginal title lands by “demonstrating both a compelling and substantial governmental objective,” and the broader benefits “must not be outweighed by adverse effects on the Aboriginal interest, historically, settling conflicts between the First Nations and resource industry development whilst keeping the interests of First Nations is time consuming and often has unforseen implications.
A deformed white fish caught in Lake Athabasca near Fort Chipewyan, Canadian Press
For example, the Mikisew Cree of Fort Chipwyea thought they would economically benefit from the developement of the oil sands in the Athabasca region; however, unpredictable social and economic consequences like the unusually high rates of cancer and emergence of deformed fish stocks were both unforseen and cost the community more than they had anticipated. Given the unpredictability of the future, only time can determine the implications and correct the imbalances of resolutions.
Works Referenced:
O’Neil, Peter. “First Nation chiefs to stage Site C showdown.”www.vancouversun.com. Post Media, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First
“Site C Clean Energy Project.” Site C Clean Energy Project. BC Hydro, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/site_c.html>.