The problem of BC Hydro is controversial. When managing to build a megawatt hydroelectric plant generating station on the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia to contribute a clean electric solution for growing population , BC Hydro invades the land of First Nation and inevitably destroy farmland, fish rights and wildlife habitat.

According to PESTEL analysis, BC Hydro is now facing political, technological and environmental factors that will affect the performance and activities of its business in the long-term.

First, political factor is obvious when it comes to the legal factors concerning with land usage conflict between a company and aboriginal people. Since Canada was created in 1867, the federal government has been in charge of aboriginal affairs. The Indian Act, which was enacted in 1876 and has since been amended, allows the government to control most aspects of aboriginal life: Indian status, land, resources, wills, education, band administration and so on. For over 100 years, The Indian Act has been continuely amended in order to ensure First Nation’s rights and economic development of other citizens. So for any slight modify in legal regulation, there would be a ineligible impact on BC Hydro’s stations that build on First Nation’s land. This external instability would be a constant concern for BC Hydro’s future development.

Second, technology limits BC Hydro to build hydroelectric stations without causing so much damages on land. Imagine if there was a technological innovation that allows BC Hydro to build station without disturbing the life of aboriginal people, it would be a win-win solution to contribute both sides.

Last, though BC hydro dedicates itself for building clean hydroelectric plant that decreases the future environmental costs, it unavoidably damages environment while building stations. The dam would flood a vast area of 83 kilometres. Liz Logan of the Fort Nelson First Nation said: “It’s our church, it’s our store, it’s our school. We have elders’ gatherings there annually”. Switch perspective to aboriginal people, I certainly would not want concrete monster ravages the land that raised my people for generations. So, while BC hydro affects on environment, it also has business ethical problem to ponder.

First Nation chiefs to stage Site C showdown
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html#ixzz3FRarZ5am

Background: The Indian Act

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988