Site C will secure BC's economy and quality of life for generations to come: ICBA

FORT ST. JOHN, BC, Dec. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - BC's construction industry is adding its voice to those supporting BC Hydro's Site C Clean Energy Project.

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of BC, urged a federal-provincial joint review panel examining the project to "be bold, be visionary and be guided by foresight" in endorsing Site C.

Speaking at public hearings in Fort St. John, ICBA President Philip Hochstein said that Site C will give British Columbia a new source of reliable and renewable electricity that will help build the province for generations to come.

Site C will generate 10,000 direct jobs and another 23,000 indirect jobs during construction, including major economic and financial benefits for the Peace River region.

Hochstein quoted noted BC engineer Henry Wakabyashi, now retired, who reminded the joint review panel that dozens of BC communities owe their very existence to BC's heritage hydroelectric assets.

"Our mining and forestry industries and the communities and the paycheques and families they support would not have been possible without these hydro dams," Hochstein said.

Hochstein said that BC Hydro has done a substantial amount of research and preparation to mitigate or eliminate the impacts of the project. The construction industry will do its part by employing the most environmentally friendly techniques available to build the project.

SOURCE: Independent Contractors And Businesses Association of BC (ICBA)

Philip Hochstein       
President, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of BC  
Phone: [phone] -- Office 
604-561-9402 -- Cell