VANCOUVER — A pair of First Nations in northeastern British Columbia want a judge to issue a stop-work order on the first phase of construction for the Site C hydroelectric dam.
The Prophet River First Nation and the West Moberly First Nation say the provincial government failed to consult them on specific permits for the nearly $9-billion project.
Their lawyer, John Gailus, is arguing against several permits granted to BC Hydro in an injunction application affecting members of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association.
Gailus says the permits allow clearcutting and the removal of beaver dams, eagle nests and archeological sites.
He says the First Nations will suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted and that there's no urgency to immediately proceed with the project.
The province granted approval in early July for the first of seven phases of construction to begin on the dam on the Peace River, near Fort St. John.
