Horgan had no choice on Site C

He had no choice. Premier John Horgan and the new NDP government will proceed with the Site C dam. The announcement was made Monday morning ending months of speculation by the general public.

Among the groups applauding the premier’s decision are the BC Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the latter which stresses the project must be built as frugally as possible.

Site C will prove to be the most difficult decision in Horgan’s mandate, however long it might last. First Nations groups have already sought a legal injunction against the project. More opposition is forthcoming from environmentalist groups.

While many NDP supporters are environmentalists, they also pride themselves on being champions for labour. Those working on the Site C project want to keep their jobs. It would be hypocritical for Horgan to support the work of labour unions and then cancel thousands of good-paying jobs.

Site C’s benefits extend beyond jobs.

In a joint review by the federal and provincial governments, the panel noted: “The project would provide a large and longterm increment of firm energy and capacity at a price that would benefit future generations.”

Site C is safer than nuclear power, cleaner than coal, and scientific evidence supports that it would greatly reduce the levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s also cheaper and we can’t have it both ways.

Affordable electricity benefits not only the homeowner, but also businesses which won’t set up shop in a province or state with obscene electricity rates. Those who do will pass the cost along to the consumer.

Governments at all levels have done a terrible job at offering a low-cost alternative for power. Basic hydro and electricity are a human necessity, especially in a cold climate. We’ve all heard the stories of low-income people choosing hydro over groceries. It’s not an exaggeration.

For proof that Horgan did the right thing — at least politically — examine what happened in Ontario, less than a decade ago. Fearful of not being re-elected, former premier Dalton McGuinty cancelled construction of natural gas power plants in Oakville and Mississauga. The total cost to the taxpayer was close to $1 billion. Both McGuinty and his energy minister later resigned over the scandal. Ontario now has, by far, the most expensive power in the country ... with no relief in sight.

Walking away at this time, when the province has already spent around $2 billion, would have been fiscally irresponsible. —James Miller Kelowna Daily Courier