West Moberly Chief “Disgusted” with Site C Decision
Prince George, B.C. – It’s a sad day.
That’s the reaction of West Moberly First Nations Chief Roland Willson to the provincial government’s decision to approve the Site C hydro electric project today.
“I’m watching the announcement on the computer and I’m disgusted basically. They’re patting eachother on their backs about what a great project this is but it’s a sad day.”
He says he was surprised by the decision noting “I truly believed they would come to their senses” and says it will have negative ramifications for the region (including his band located in northeastern BC).
“We’re going to lose the valley (Peace River Valley) primarily. We’re already under huge economic pressures up here. We’re going to have a flood of people moving into the area which is going to impact our communities.”
Willson says he’s also disappointed because there were other options available.
“Totally. Right from the very beginning we said we’re not opposed to the creation of this energy. We’ll work with you guys (Victoria) and help you meet these goals just don’t flood the valley.The highest recorded form of wind energy in Canada is here. The highest amount of sunlight. It’s a geothermal hotspot.”
Moving forward he says they’ve already filed a judicial review in the Supreme Court of Canada (last month) and have filed another in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
“We’re going to challenge all their permits moving forward. We’re going to start pushing back on all the projects, everything, it’s too much. We offered them an olive branch and they took it back and threw it in our face.”
Comments
What other options do you have in mind?
Let me guess, more money will work..as per usual.
It does not surprise anyone with Chiefs nowadays they never agree with anyone other than there government cheques that the taxpayers give them and then they complain they are too small .
Wind solar and geothermal wouldn’t generate nearly the same power as the dam would and it would cost more. What other options did you have, Chief Wilson?
As much as its bad to say, its so typical and now kinda running out of peoples open hands willing to be open to be giving to the first nations…
Played this card all too much now.
I dont think you’ll have the support you once did as before.
Cards played out….
Stop complaining, Chief Willson, and gives us your options which are more feasible than Site C! We are all tired of First Nation’s complaints!
If Chief Wilson wants to be disgusted, perhaps he should be disgusted about the First Nations “Crows Feather” Gas Station built virtually on the shores on his sacred Moberly Lake. Moberly Lake empties into the Moberly River which then flows into the Peace River.
I could be wrong but this station does not seem to abide by the same environmental regulations that apply to Gas Stations built off of First Nations reserves! This disgusts me! I’m surprised that it doesn’t disgust Chief Wilson!!
Too bad for Chief Wilson.
‘…First Nations and environmental groups say they will fight the proposal in the courts and through public protests.’
Let’s add it up…….
No to the Site C hydroelectric project.
No to the Northern Gateway oil pipeline project.
No to the Kinder Morgan oil pipeline expansion project.
No to any LNG plants on the coast or expanded gas pipelines through ‘traditional territories’.
No to any new mines.
No to any mine expansions.
Yes to a never-ending stream of taxpayer handouts.
Obviously you are all to narrow minded having never spent any time in that region. Maybe you should all make the drive instead of gum flapping, well worth the trip beautiful country. More energy should be spent reclaiming money our neighbor to the south still owe us. After all they will surely be reaping the benefits of site “c”.
@ maverick
Now whos narrow minded…. Lol
Sounds like quite a guess’ by saying ‘whod be ‘reaping the benefits of site C’
Maybe instead of flapping your gums ,you yourself you should get your facts before your ‘guess’.
Spent lots of time there thanks. Yep, beautiful.
But unfortunetly the world grows, change happens and its not 1965 anymore.
It was beautiful land before walmart, costco etc came to town too
Bet you shop somewhere to macerick.. Wink wink
All the little bigots have come out to have their say. Feel better now? How embarrassing. Bunch of little cowards.
If you’d ever stop and think about the bigger picture here, there are some pretty substantial impacts that are going to be felt, not only by the people of the Peace River Valley, but by everyone in BC.
An estimated 3,800 hectares of class 1 & 2 agricultural land will be lost. Some of the only of that class that exists in Northern British Columbia.
Another approximately 2,000 hectares of wildlife habitat.
People will lose their homes, farmers will lose their land and the treaty 8 agreement will be violated in my understanding.
Oh and let’s not forget the estimated $8.5 billion price tag. Who do you think is going to have pay for that??? Just this one project will add 14% to our current provincial debt and that’s just the capital cost of constructing it.
Some of the things proponents are saying, the government in particular, to promote this project don’t make any sense. Does that matter to anyone?
It does to me Sine Nomine. Great Post.
Sine, I believe BC Hydro already purchased the majority of the farm land to be affected decades ago. If we’re so concerned about highest and best use of agricultural land, the largest clear cut sterilized agricultural land in the province is in the lower mainland. Perhaps we should return that to production for much better use?
I might be willing to sympathize with Chief Roland’s “disgust” if West Moberly had not already been working on Site C, actively bidding on works, and negotiating with BC Hydro for direct awards. The hypocracy is a little too much to stomach.
If you have the money just do it and those who don’t stop complaining and make the money to stop the so called horrible things that ruin our Not yours Our land . In the mean time it is what it is.
So sine what is your solution? Since you are on line I am guessing you need power.
Seamut,. Will you give it a break. We have more power in BC today than we will ever use.
I know a number of people who worked for companies for 40 years, and guess what. They did not know anymore the day they left than the day they hired on. You are beginning to sound like one of those people.
I agree with Sine Nomine on this one. However to try and convince some people on this site is a losing battle.
Why is it, that its always **ok** to flood someone else’s back yard, but not your own.
If people would take some time to investigate what is going on here, they might find out, that once again the Provincial Government is playing them for suckers. I suggest that most people in favour of Site C, were also in favour of the HST.
Did anyone notice that Ontario who implemented the HST is in the tank??
Seems some people take the Governments position on all issues, and therefore don’t have to think for themselves.
In other words, read it in the paper, and repeat it, and Walla, you have made a sensible if incomprehensible comment.
PS. I agree with the West Moberly Chief. This was, and is a disgusting decision.
Great post Sine Nomine. The government is raping this province. Enuf said.
I also side with Roland.
So Palopu can you back your fact that we have more power now than we will ever use? That is an old line used before every power project over the decades. So you are saying all past power projects are not needed? Please tell me where you get your miss guided information from?
Back in the forties when John Hart generating complex was being built on the island people said it was a waste of money as it’s 125 mw’s would never be used. Well the islands load I read is over 3000 mw.
I have tried to show how generation planning works but you let your ideology cloud your learning. Oh you have failed to refute anything I have written with facts.
Palopu, so what’s your alternative when 15 years from now BC needs more firm power? I think hydroelectric power has been a boon for BC. I think it is shameful to suggest that Site C is a government conspiracy to hurt the taxpayer. We could also set up a half dozen coal fired power stations around Tumbler Ridge or on Vancouver Island. The long term environmental impact on the land base is far lower with Site C than any other credible options put forth as alternate scenarios. Unless the population intends to stop consuming energy, in all forms, opposing every energy producing infrastructure project is short sighted. Besides, the taxpayers aren’t paying for Site C, the rate payers are and you’re welcome to “cut the cord” on third-party power generation anytime you want and not contribute a dime to Site C.
I also fail to see what HST in Ontario as an uncompetitive manufacturing jurisdiction has to do with resource extractive BC or an energy project. Yes, HST is gone in BC but in case you didn’t notice, BC’s economy isn’t exactly a powerhouse right now either. Looking at consumptive tax strategies in a vacuum isn’t exactly an indicator of any economic performance. I would say the constant study projects to death mentality and court challenges if you don’t get your way are far more harmful for the economy.
Great post, Irritated. It’s much easier to oppose and complain rather than offer any viable alternative.
Irritated: “I also fail to see what HST in Ontario as an uncompetitive manufacturing jurisdiction has to do with resource extractive BC or an energy project.”
This is just Palopu trying to convince himself and others that getting rid of the HST in BC was a good idea (it wasn’t).
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