It was announced with little fanfare by B.C. Hydro, but the federal government’s decision last week to grant two key permits for the Site C dam project may have major implications for all kinds of major resource developments across the country.
The decision came amidst quiet grumbling among the provinces over the new government’s snail’s pace when it comes to making decisions on difficult issues.
It’s easy for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make appearances at things like the Pride Parade, but it’s another thing entirely when it comes to making the call on something that will cause you political grief no matter which way you go.
And Trudeau is already feeling a backlash from environmentalists and some First Nations, who are furious he has given the green light to a project they vehemently oppose.
Of course, as I pointed out in this space in January, those hoping Trudeau would kibosh the Site C dam were naively dreaming in Technicolor. Such a move would create a potential constitutional crisis, and cause irreparable damage to the relationship between the federal government and the B.C. government, which views Site C dam as the centerpiece of its economic development platform.
No, the more realistic concern regarding Trudeau and the Site C dam was how long he was going to wait before moving forward with his backing of it. His government’s foot-dragging when it came to making a decision was causing considerable nervousness at B.C. Hydro because of the financial implications of a non-decision.
The permit approvals came through at literally the 11th hour. Any further delay would have resulted in a high number of temporary layoffs (likely hundreds) and considerable financial penalties in the millions of dollars. But now work can proceed, and the only hope for opponents of the dam resides in court, where they have been demonstrably unsuccessful at every turn.
Does this signal the government is willing to do so on other major projects – the Kinder Morgan and Energy East pipelines, an LNG industry, port developments, mining – that are a mixed bag when it comes to support or opposition from various First Nations?
The pro-development side is surely rejoicing at the Trudeau government’s green-lighting of the Site C dam project. It pushes some of the other major projects in this country closer to the building stage, and off the planning board where they’ve been stuck for so long.
Whether they can remain in the building stage amid court challenges, primarily by some First Nations, is an open question however.
Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global B.C.
