The Vancouver Sun recently published this article and this article discussing the First Nation communities banding together to protest against implementation of new environmental pipelines/hydroelectric projects. Both stories display the effects of external factors impacting the business model of a company (eg. BC Hydro and Site C megaproject plans) including political, technological, and environmental factors.
Traditional territory is something that First Nation communities value; it’s a source of food, a source of spirituality, and a source of life. Rallying against BC Hydro in the “Site C Showdown” forces the company into the public eye and bathe in negative press due to the controversy. Environmental issues that need to be addressed by BC Hydro are brought up by the First Nations such as a reduction in fishing capabilities and a loss of wildlife habitat. These are byproducts of the waste and construction that will come along with the project if it proceeds. This external factor hinders BC Hydro’s ability to display its environmentally friendly approach on its mission to construct a large hydroelectric dam — an improvement of emerging hydroelectric technology. No longer can BC Hydro rely on this dam to improve their technology. Instead, the company has to find alternative energy sources instead. At the same time, political issues between the First Nation communities and the Canadian government (dating back to the 19th century and the Indian Act) and its crown corporations (eg. BC Hydro) fuels more tension between the opposing parties. These external factors ultimately hinder BC Hydro’s progress and sets the company a few steps back.
BC Hydro – a Canadian crown corporation. Currently facing controversy over “Site C”