Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines Petroleum Resources, has released the following statement in response to BC Hydro’s filing of its latest reports on Site C with the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC), found here: https://www.sitecproject.com/news-and-information/progress-reports-to-the-bcuc

“I am very concerned about the latest reports that BC Hydro has provided to the BCUC on the Site C project.

“COVID-19 has created significant challenges for the project that we could not have anticipated.   

“In March, BC Hydro scaled down the project significantly and focused only on essential work and meeting crucial milestones, particularly river diversion.

“This was done in line with the advice and directions from the provincial health officer to ensure the safety of workers and communities.

“While the project remains on track to achieve river diversion this coming fall, there is uncertainty with the project’s schedule and budget due to the ongoing pandemic.

“BC Hydro continues to safely scale up construction activities at the site. It has also begun the process to re-baseline the project to determine the cost and time required to complete the remaining work.

“The previous government chose to start Site C in 2010 and made clear they wanted to push it past the point of no return. And they did.

“We knew there were significant cost pressures and risks with Site C when we formed government. COVID-19 has dramatically added to these challenges.

“We take this very seriously. Today, I am announcing the appointment of Peter Milburn as a special advisor to work with BC Hydro and the Project Assurance Board.

“As a former deputy minister of finance and secretary to Treasury Board, I fully expect Mr. Milburn will play an important role in reviewing the project and will provide the government with independent advice.”