B次元官网网址淭he first principal we need to operate on is that every one of us in Canada is a partner in reconciliation,B次元官网网址� said Lola Murray, one of the Site C protestors on Quadra Island, quoting Chief Robert Joseph.
Chief Robert JosephB次元官网网址檚 message through reconciliation Canada rings true for a group of Quadra Islanders who are gathering signatures on letters opposing the NDP GovernmentB次元官网网址檚 Site C Dam decision, on Friday.
B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 just honour treaty rights when it is convenient and when it is not convenient to ignore them,B次元官网网址� said Sonja Charlesworth.
The NDP government to the project earlier in December.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 clear that Site C should never have been started,B次元官网网址� Premier John Horgan said at the time. B次元官网网址淏ut to cancel it now would add billions to the provinceB次元官网网址檚 debt B次元官网网址� putting at risk our ability to deliver housing, child care, schools and hospitals across B.C. And thatB次元官网网址檚 a price weB次元官网网址檙e not willing to pay.B次元官网网址�
The Quadra Island group, an island near Campbell River, is the province who are holding candle light vigils and planting in the ground in solidarity with the Profit River and West Moberly First Nations who are seeking an injunction to stop the project.
B次元官网网址淧eople are really discouraged,B次元官网网址� Charlesworth said. B次元官网网址淚f the NDP government is okay-ing this when they initially said they would support Treaty 8, whatB次元官网网址檚 the point?B次元官网网址�
The group is also taking issue with the project for various other reasons. In their opinion the farmland in the Peace Region is too valuable to flood and they believe food security is important and will become more important as climate change continues and the world population grows. They also expressed concern about the area being a wildlife corridor.
B次元官网网址淎ll of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 birds end up in the Peace Region at some point,B次元官网网址� said Susan Westren.
They feel that the United Nations and Amnesty International condemnation of the project as well as the recent are also good reasons to stop the project.
The group set up signs and approached passersby in front of Tru Value Foods on Quadra Island. They will be installing yellow stakes and the signs in front of the shopping complex for MLA Claire Trevena to see when she next returns home.
The organisers said that if you would also like to lend your voice to the cause you can support the First Nations communities legal challenge by donating at or by writing a letter to Premier John Horgan.
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jocelyn.doll@campbellrivermirror.com
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