First Nations challenge of Site C permits denied by B.C. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of B.C. has rejected a petition by two B.C. First Nations on Monday to overturn provincial permits issued for construction of the controversial Site C dam.

The Prophet River and West MoberlyFirst Nations stand to have thousands of acres of their traditional land flooded in the construction of the dam.

Theyhad argued that they were not adequatelyconsulted on the permits already granted to the project which allowfor timber removal, road building, and other construction preparations.

That claim stemmed from an agreement between the province and the Treaty 8 Tribal Association that a new consultation process between the two was necessary, one tailored specifically to the Site C project, as opposed to a general framework that already exists.

The Prophet River and WestMoberlyFirst Nations claimedthat in discussingSite C permitswith T8TA First Nations before that custom process was agreed upon, the provincefailedto properly consult them.

Justice Robert Sewelldisagreed, saying in his decision that "The province attempted to engage [First Nations] in consultation on the permits overa prolonged period of time," and that as a result of Site C's environmental assessment process, the province did have an understanding of First Nations' concerns about the project.

First Nations failed to appear

He also noted that on more than oneoccasionthe province and B.C. Hydro tried to hold consultations,and it was First Nations representatives who failed to show up.

Sewell also reinforced the importance of the custom consultation process, since the permits already issuedon the project are the first of hundreds that will be needed over its years-long construction.

For now, the Prophet River and WestMoberlyFirst Nationshave three other legal challenges against Site C pending and they have 30days to appeal this latest ruling.

With files from CBC's Andrew Kurjata