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This week Conversations That Matter looks at Site C from the legal perspective of two Treaty 8 First Nations, the West Moberly and Prophet River, who say their rights are being infringed upon. We also have a conversation about B.C. Hydro’s numbers. Do they add up?

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While Gordon Christie, an Indigenous legal rights lawyer, and Eoin Finn, of the NGO Pacific Electricity Ratepayers Association, approach topic of Site C from different perspectives, each argues that Site C is the wrong project.

Christie points out that since the Delgamuukw and Tsilhqot’in Land Claims decisions in the Supreme Court of Canada, treaty rights issues have been pushed into the consultation arena that is at the core of the land claims rulings. Christie says treaty rights are not negotiable, they are entrenched and he contends those rights are being abused by B.C. Hydro.

Finn goes into great detail about the numbers. He says technological innovation has meant a per capita drop in electricity use and he challenges Hydro’s population increase projections. Add in an expansion of renewable energy sources and Finn says we don’t need Site C.

Conversations That Matter is a partner program with the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for these important and engaging Conversations shaping our future.

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