VANCOUVER – A judge has granted BC Hydro an injunction to remove people protesting the Site C dam project at a tent camp near Fort St. John.

The ruling means demonstrators have no right to obstruct the hydroelectric project, which has regulatory approval from both the federal and provincial governments.

The utility argued last week that the actions of a group of Peace Valley farmers and First Nations were illegal and could cost millions of dollars.

BC Hydro lawyers told court the protesters set up camp in late December and have prevented workers from clearing the area for construction, even building camp fires near tree-felling and excavation operations.

Yvonne Tupper of the Saulteau First Nations said outside court that BC Hydro is violating Treaty 8 Tribal Association’s rights and that the project should be put on hold while legal challenges make their way through the courts.

The $8.8-billion dam will flood agricultural land and First Nations archeological sites, as well as hunting and fishing areas.

The Federal NDP is calling on the Prime Minister to make good on his promise to stand up for local First Nations who oppose the project.

“Premier Christy Clark, with the help of Justin Trudeau, is forcing the project through despite opposition by locals and First Nations in the area that hold some significant title,” says Environment Critic Nathan Cullen.

“We want Mr. Trudeau to live up to his word, which is [that] the relationship with First Nations, in particular, would be different. That his government would show respect for local voices and we don’t have to fight every resource project out in the courts,” he explains.

“His ministers at first said that they had done their consultations on this and then we quickly heard from the head of the First Nations groups that was not true so, not a good start and let’s do better. Mr. Trudeau will be under some pressure not to permit this dam that is so directly opposed by the people who live there.”

He adds other concerns include the high cost of the mega dam, what the power will be used for and the way the project is moving forward.