UN committee warns Canada in letter that Site C dam may break deals

Jan 14, 2019 | 2:46 PM

A United Nations committee on eliminating discrimination is warning Canada that continued construction of the Site C hydro dam in British Columbia may violate international agreements.

In a letter to Canada’s ambassador to the UN, the anti-discrimination committee says continuing work on the dam goes against the right to free and informed consent from local Indigenous people.

The letter says Canada’s own research suggests the contested dam will cause permanent and irreversible damage to the traditional lands of First Nations.

It adds that continuing with the work will violate a 50-year treaty on fighting discrimination, which Canada has signed with 88 other countries.

2 New Directors

Getting to know the new members of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce

17h ago

warrant issued

Former Sask. Mountie, convicted of breach of trust, now accused of voyeurism and accessing child porn

17h ago

Aggravated assault

Dispute lands woman in hospital, man in jail

20h ago

Many say Site C will continue the damage to the Peace River watershed begun by the Bennett Dam, which is often blamed for major disruption to water levels across the river delta in Alberta.

B.C. Hydro says the dam, which is currenlty under construction in the northeast, is crucial to the province’s energy future.

The Canadian Press