More than 250 scientists and university professors from across Canada have signed a ‘Statement of Concern’ about the proposed Site C Dam project.
The signatories include 17 UNBC professors and lecturers from UNBC.
Dr. Antonia Mills is professor emerita of First Nations studies at the university. She says the environmental concerns around the project are closely tied to the concerns of First Nations.
“A lot of it is consideration of First Nations interests and concerns about the environment. The work has started and gone on even before the environmental approval was thoroughly done and there are real concerns. This is really changing the environment in all kinds of ways that are detrimental to the environment. It’s a continuation of the [W.C.] Bennett dam that completely flooded out Tsay Keh Dene people from their traditional territory without ever consulting with them whatsoever.”
The statement lays out three major areas of concern, one of which is that the environmental assessment of the project failed to consider whether approving Site C would violate First Nation rights under Treaty No. 8. It says the number and scope of adverse environmental effects Site C will have are “unprecedented in the history of environmental assessment in Canada.” It also questions the necessity of the project and describes the assessment process as lacking.
Mills says the government’s focus on the jobs that Site C’s construction will create is misplaced.
“It’s time for a country such as Canada that says it’s concerned about climate change to be looking at how we can start making jobs in a way that provides energy in ways that are environmentally friendly.”
At its peak, Site C is expected to employ 1500 workers.
The statement is addressed to Prime Minister Trudeau and his cabinet. You can read the full statement here.