Site C legal injunction

Photo: Contributed

Two First Nations groups have launched legal action to halt the construction of the Site C dam.

West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations have combined forces to file civil actions for Treaty Infringement and Injunctions to stop construction of the Site C hydroelectric project.

The West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations have filed notices of civil action alleging that the Site C hydroelectric project, together with the two previous dams on the Peace River, infringes on their constitutional rights under Treaty 8.

“The cumulative impact of the Bennett, Peace Canyon and Site C Dams is to turn the Peace River into a series of reservoirs, destroying the unique cultural and ecological character of the Peace, severing the physical, practical, cultural and spiritual connection the Prophet have with the Peace, and infringing [West Moberly and Prophet’s] Treaty Rights.” Says, Chief Roland Wilson, West Moberly First Nations.

The motion was filed in B.C. Supreme Court Monday.

The NDP Government decided to move forward with the project earlier this month.

The First Nations legal team is led by senior litigation counsel Reidar Mogerman of Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman. They intend to apply for the disclosure of documents which to-date have been redacted or withheld from public scrutiny.

“We need more information about the project’s schedule, budget, and ongoing geotechnical challenges to accurately estimate the implications of suspending construction until our Treaty infringement claims are decided at trial,” said Chief Roland Willson of the West Moberly First Nations.

“We’re not just asking the court to save the Peace River valley, but to save British Columbians billions of dollars by scrapping this ill-conceived, outmoded, and unneeded boondoggle unravelling in plain sight,” stated Chief Lynette Tsakoza.