Completing Site C the only reasonable choice

Cancelling would leave nothing to show for billions spent, Caroline Elliott says.

With their much-anticipated Site C decision, B.C.’s New Democrats face a significant opportunity. While the choice before them has been characterized as one of the toughest calls they will face during their time in government, from a public policy perspective, it shouldn’t be.

When the Site C project is completed, it will produce clean energy at a time when more and more people, businesses and communities are turning to electricity to power their activities. Site C will have among the lowest greenhouse gas emissions compared to other electricitygeneration options and significantly less than fossil fuel sources, making it an ideal source of power as leaders look for ways to address climate change.

Jurisdictions around the world are committed to transitioning their populations from gasoline-powered cars to electric ones in the coming decades. Cities like Vancouver are talking about a zero-emissions future in which natural gas is gradually replaced by electricity. And Canada has signed on to the Paris climate accord, providing further impetus for a move to renewable electricity generation across the country.

With these and other trends in mind, the claim by project opponents that electricity demand will not significantly increase in the coming decades does not pass a simple reasonableness test. Certainly, energy forecasts will tick up or down based on the economic circumstances of a given moment. But it stretches credulity to ignore the clear trend toward a cleaner energy future.

Adding to this is the fact that the population of B.C. is expected to increase by more than a million people over the next 20 years. With this growth comes greater demand for electricity as more people come to our province to enjoy all it has to offer.

The NDP also needs to consider that Site C is well over two years into construction. Vast amounts of earth have been moved, roads and bridges have been built, facilities to house workers are in place, and thousands of men and women are working every day to help build an important piece of B.C.’s economic and environmental future. Hundreds of B.C. companies have been involved in the construction of Site C to date.

In addition, agreements have been reached with six First Nations to provide economic opportunities and other benefits related to Site C. Many First Nations businesses and individuals are working on the project. Agreements have also been reached with local districts and municipalities in the region to ensure meaningful benefits from Site C flow to surrounding communities.

Billions of dollars have already been spent, and significantly more funds have been committed in signed contracts. Should Site C be cancelled, there would be nearly $2 billion more in termination and remediation costs. These costs, amounting to about $4 billion (let alone the expense of building alternative sources of power) will ultimately be paid for by ratepayers.

The only question facing the NDP is whether British Columbians’ hard-earned money goes toward the building and un-building of what will amount to a worthless hole in the ground, or whether it goes toward a completed hydroelectric project that will benefit the province through the delivery of clean, renewable and affordable electricity for generations.

For years, the New Democrats have been accused by their political opponents as being the “Party of No,” incapable of building a prosperous economic future for British Columbia. Their critics commonly challenge them to name a single project or initiative that will contribute to British Columbia’s economic well-being.

Continuing with the construction of Site

C is an opportunity for the NDP to defy this stereotype, proving their commitment to both the environment and the economy, and keeping thousands of people working at a time when jobs are scarce in the resource industry. Their reward will be a renewed reputation as a forward-looking party, continuing with the construction of a true publicly owned legacy for B.C.

When one looks at the obvious long-term need for new sources of electricity, along with all the environmental and economic benefits of the Site C project itself, the decision facing the NDP should not be a difficult one at all. Continuing with Site C is the only reasonable option.