Time to make the best of Site C project: Minister

VICTORIA — He was one of staunchest critics of the Site C dam, but George Heyman found himself in the uncomfortable position this week of supporting a plan to complete the $10.7-billion megaproject.

A couple of days after the decision was announced, B.C.’s environment minister said the previous Liberal government left the NDP no choice but to keep building.

“I’m obviously not going to talk about cabinet discussions, but I certainly never felt held down with a pistol to my head,” he said in an interview this week. “This was not a decision we made lightly or took any pleasure in making.”

Heyman, a former executive director of the Sierra Club and president of the B.C. Government Service Employees Union, has consistently raised environmental and economic concerns about Site C.

Heyman and Energy Minister Michelle Mungall stood at Premier John Horgan’s side for the announcement on Monday. Horgan said it was a gut-wrenching experience.

“As the premier said to us, we’ve made a collective decision that we’re supporting it, but that doesn’t mean you have to not show your feelings or emotions or your disappointment,” said Heyman.

Heyman said the government must now find ways to make the best of the situation.

“We’re not going to simply build it and let it go to waste,” he said.