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VICTORIA — B.C.’s new NDP government has referred the largest construction project in the province’s history, the Site C dam, to an independent review to see whether it should continue, be paused or completely cancelled.

Energy Minister Michelle Mungall made the announcement at the legislature Wednesday. The review will start on Aug. 9.

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“Rather than questioning whether or not the project should have started, the review will focus on looking forward,” Mungall said.

The NDP had promised during the May election campaign to send the $8.8-billion project, under construction on the Peace River in northeast B.C., to a review by the independent B.C. Utilities Commission.

The BCUC will be asked to produce a preliminary report by Sept. 20 and a final report by Nov. 1.

“Once we have the final report, government will consider the advice from the B.C. Utilities Commission, along with other environmental and First Nations considerations, and make a final decision on the future of Site C,” said Mungall.