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VICTORIA — The New Democrats were accused of presiding over a “self-induced catastrophe” Tuesday, after the West Moberly First Nations ended six months of talks aimed at heading off further litigation over the Site C dam.

“Talks End, Horgan Government Set to Defend Christy Clark in Site C Megatrial,” said a West Moberly news release that suggested the break-off had been less than amicable. “At trial, the Horgan government is expected to defend the decision made by Christy Clark’s B.C. Liberal government to approve Site C, a decision which Premier Horgan and his cabinet have themselves repeatedly condemned.”

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Hence West Moberly Chief Roland Willson’s characterization of the NDP decision to proceed with the giant hydroelectric dam as a “self-induced catastrophe.”

“Stopping this dam has always been the right thing to do,” said Willson, leaving little doubt about what would have persuaded him to settle out of court. “It would have taken some courage and some leadership, but it could have saved B.C. billions of dollars and produced a clear example of reconciliation with First Nations.”