OTTAWA — British Columbia First Nations leaders and activists condemned the federal government's approach to the Site C dam project during a Parliament Hill rally today.
The group travelled by bus from B.C. to Ottawa, making stops along the way to raise awareness about their opposition to the multibillion-dollar dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River.
At the end of July, the Fisheries and Oceans Department approved permits allowing construction on the dam to proceed despite ongoing court challenges.
The department says this authorization followed extensive First Nations consultations.
West Moberly First Nations Chief Roland Willson strongly disagrees with the permit approval, saying the Liberal government shouldn't have allowed it while the courts are still reviewing the project.
Willson says the decision is not in keeping with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's pledge for a new nation-to-nation relationship with Canada's indigenous peoples.
