City of Powell River Council will discuss sending a letter to request a moratorium on the Site C dam in the Peace River Valley even though the province has approved the project.
At a recent committee of the whole meeting a letter from District of Hudson’s Hope and Peace River Regional District was reviewed. The letter calls on the BC government to place a one-year moratorium on deciding whether to proceed with Site C. According to mayor of Hudson’s Hope, Gwen Johansson, this will allow time to refer Site C to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for an inquiry and public hearing into its economic effects, including potentially less costly alternatives. Adoption of a less costly alternative would free up provincial borrowing capacity to support important local government infrastructure priorities, she stated.
Johansson asked council to review her letter and consider supporting the request for a one-year moratorium and BCUC consideration of less expensive alternatives to Site C.
Marie Claxton, city clerk, said Premier Christy Clark had made an announcement the previous day advising that the Site C project would proceed.
Mac Fraser, chief administrative officer, wanted to clarify one of the assertions by the Hudson’s Hope mayor about the dam’s construction taking away from infrastructure projects in the province.
Johansson said Site C would add about $8 billion to the provincial debt, leaving the province with much less ability to contribute to important local government infrastructure projects in areas such as transit, water, sewer and housing.
Fraser said there is a firewall between BC Hydro and its capital expenditures and the conduct of the rest of government.
“It may be a very worthy cause but that rationale is a bit weak,” he said.
Mayor Dave Formosa said his wish was to note and file and letter, and Councillor Jim Palm supported that action, but Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman objected.
“I would like to send a letter in support of this request even though it has been approved,” she said. “I still think it’s good to send a letter saying it should be reviewed.”
Councillor Russell Brewer, who was chairing the committee of the whole meeting, said the matter should then be referred to city council, and the committee agreed.
