29 reactions to the BC government's decision to go ahead with Site C Dam
The controversial megaproject to build the Site C hydroelectric dam on the Peace River in northeastern BC will be built after all.
This morning, Premier John Horgan announced that the project will continue following the findings of a BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) review conducted over three months.
As well, the latest official project budget has risen from $8.8 billion to $10.7 billion.
See also
- BC NDP government officially sends Site C dam to review
- BC NDP government confirms $10.7-billion Site C dam will be built
In making the announcement, Horgan said that “megaproject mismanagement by the old government” has left BC in a “terrible situation.”
But the current government, he said “cannot punish British Columbians for those mistakes, and we can’t change the past. We can only make the best decision for the future.”
And while that my be the view of the government, public, widely-varied reaction came quick on social media:
People tweeted anger and frustration…
Horgan: “When it comes to reconciliation and working with Indigenous leadership, look there has been over 150 years of disappointment in BC. I’m not the first person to stand before you and disappoint Indigenous people..” That makes it worse, John! #bcpoli #SiteC
— Derrick O’Keefe (@derrickokeefe) December 11, 2017
There comes a point when we all have to decide what side of history we are on. I spent years chronicling BC Liberal misdeeds, debacles & corruption. But #sitec is wrong. It was wrong then & it is still wrong now. #bcpoli
— Laila Yuile (@lailayuile) December 5, 2017
You lost my respect and support.
— Tracy Pitkin (@newwester) December 11, 2017
Officially done with settler politics. How can ppl, in the face of piles of evidence that show all of the harms, approve a project? What is the reason for impact assessments? #SiteC has the *MOST* harmful impacts when compared with previous CEAA project history!
— Brock Roe (@The_Cree_Turn) December 11, 2017
You’re a bastard and a coward, John. You and your union donations and your patently false sunk cost fallacy. You have just made generations of British Columbians pay for your political cowardice. #bcpoli #SiteC @jjhorgan
— Lindsay Brown (@Lidsville) December 11, 2017
#SiteC Stupidest decision BC has ever made! Biggest financial boondoggle ever. Just wait, Mother Nature may take care of it yet. Those clay banks of the Peace were never meant to support a dam. @jjhorgan @michellemungall @bcalmanac @cbcnewsbc
— PVEA (@SavePeaceValley) December 11, 2017
#SiteC approval by @jjhorgan is Total BS. This is not in the interests of saving BCers money nor in the spirit of reconciliation with FNs. The BS goes on and on. It would have been a super easy decision if you’d just cancelled it – all the rationales you need are out there.
— PVEA (@SavePeaceValley) December 11, 2017
A mistake of epic proportions. Farming land lost can never be returned. This will be far worse than even Kemano. This is on level of damming of the Columbia River – you will look back on this day with such regret 😢
— Shannon 🎃Pixels 🍁 (@shanathalas) December 11, 2017
You just lost my support. Been voting for and supporting the NDP for almost 30 years. Time to go Green!
— J M curran (@jmocurran) December 11, 2017
Sorry John, you own it now, and have lost my support.
— Keith H (@KHampe_) December 11, 2017
Huge mistake.
— ✌ Patrick Smyth™ (@surfingshreddie) December 11, 2017
voting green party from now on. you have lost my respect.
— Calliope Gazetas (@calliloopy) December 11, 2017
I am deeply disappointed by your decision to continue site C dam. You were supposed to lead differently than the liberals and listen to first nation communities. Continuing with the project is a mistake and an embarrassment.
— Adam Beaudoin (@Adam_Beaudoin) December 11, 2017
I would like my vote back John. You have not earned it and will not see it again. Hope the Greens make your gov’t fall. #RIPNDP #BCPOLI
— Rodney O (@cnuckler24) December 11, 2017
Lost my support. Bet that money lining your pockets feels good.
— Kyle (@waxsheeple) December 11, 2017
Epic. Fail. I am soooooo disappointed in you j the NDP. I voted for you. This decision is a complete betrayal! Smh…
— Whatsherface (@NightWritergrrr) December 11, 2017
Others were a little more tongue-in-cheek….
congratulations to British Columbia on joining Newfoundland and Labrador in the “Canadian coastal provinces building dumbass dams” club
— drew brown (@drewfoundland) December 11, 2017
New hairstyle for @BCNDP‘s @jjhorgan after approving #SiteC. #ChristyHorgan #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/ZD7FabvFHs
— Jeff Matthews (@pithylittlegeek) December 11, 2017
On one hand, the NDP stands to alienate 80%+ of its voter base, betray Indigenous rights, and wear a $1B boondoggle gifted from the Liberal party. On the other, win exactly zero BC Lib votes. It’s a toughie. #SiteC
— Michael Stewart (@m_r_stewart) December 11, 2017
Good luck at the next election bub #SiteC #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/4dSeSmsoWT
— El Toro Güero 🦇 五五五 (@VancouverGuero) December 11, 2017
one way to get people to change their future votes.
— Johnny (@PredatorJohnny) December 11, 2017
This is a sad day for the NDP. You blithely ignore your base & listen to subcontractors promising that north bank can be stabilized. It’s still not. And at what cost? Your campaign trail was false advertising &feigned solidarity. #welcometothedarkside #industrycapture pic.twitter.com/iK3mt7F9Ll
— Britton Jacob-Schram (@bjacobsc) December 11, 2017
This is a damass decision
— 🍊 mandarin seasons greetings 🍊 (@TheRealMCSloth) December 11, 2017
Others voiced their support for the megaproject…
#SiteC is a great decision for #BritishColumbia. Another victory for the economy over enviromarxist hippy ideology. No fan of the @jjhorgan #BCNDP government, but give credit where due: at least they got it right on this issue.
— Dave Stewart-Candy (@oldbootdave) December 11, 2017
A difficult decision but the correct one ☝️ well done 👍 #bcpoli
— Michael Geoghegan (@BCLobbyist) December 11, 2017
@jjhorgan this was an excellent decision, I am glad I voted for NDP.
— Myles Murphy (@FireRescueMM) December 11, 2017
I’ve called you a BC Destroyer for your hostility to oil and gas, but for today you are a BC Builder. Great decision!
— Christopher Wilson (@VanCity_Chris) December 11, 2017
Well John it sounds like in the end it was a bit of a no brainer to carry on with the dam.
Thanks for making a decision based on facts and not ideology
— richianity (@richianity) December 11, 2017
— L.Rebello (@L_Rebell) December 11, 2017
With files from Kenneth Chan
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