Letter from Mayor Gwen Johansson re: Referral of Site C Dam Project

Via E-mail

December 2, 2014

Dear Mayor and Council Members

Re: Referral of Proposed Site C Dam Project to BC Utilities Commission

Now that the November 2014 local government elections are complete, I am pleased to forward you a copy of our letter dated November 18th, 2014 regarding the proposed Site C Dam Project.

Site C would add about $8 billion dollars to the provincial debt leaving the province with much less ability to contribute to important local government infrastructure projects in areas such as transit, water, sewer, and housing. Finance Minister Mike De Jong is quoted in the attached article as saying, "It [Site C] will likely crowd out many other projects."

The District of Hudson's Hope and the Peace River Regional District are calling on the BC government to place a one year moratorium on deciding whether to proceed with Site C. This will allow time to refer Site C to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for an inquiry and public hearing into its economic effects, including potentially less costly alternatives. Adoption of a less costly alternative would free up provincial borrowing capacity to support important local government infrastructure priorities.

We ask you to review our November 18th, 2014 letter and to consider resolving to support our request for a one year moratorium and BCUC consideration of less expensive alternatives to Site C.

Yours truly,

Mayor Gwen Johansson