New Site C contract moves forward as opponents call for auditor general review

BC Hydro is set to sign a major contract on Site C, the first since the B.C. NDPopted last week to allow construction of the controversial damto continue.

The announcement comes as opponents of the dam in northeast B.C. are asking the province's auditor general to review the decision to move forward with the project.

A partnership led by Toronto-basedAecon Group Inc. has been chosen as the preferred proponent to build a generating station and spillways for the dam, which will flood5,500 hectares of the Peace River valley near Fort St. John, B.C.

BC Hydro said in a news release itexpects to sign a final agreement in early 2018and peak work on the project will occur in 2021, when approximately 1,600 jobs will be generated.

Meanwhile, opponents of the project have asked Auditor General Carol Bellringerto review the NDP's decision to move ahead with Site C, citing concerns over how the costs of cancelling the project were calculated.

In announcing his decision to move ahead with Site C construction, Premier John Horgan said while he would not have started the project, construction is far enough along that the cost of cancellingwould be too high.

The province's independent energy regulator concluded in a report last month that the dam is over budget and behind schedule.

With files from the Canadian Press