Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka is sounding the alarm in response to NDP leader John Horgan’s recent musings about delaying and shutting down the Site C project.

NDP leader John Horgan’s recent rhetoric about delaying and potentially cancelling the Site C Clean Energy Project have contributed to a climate of uncertainty and worry for B.C. workers and their families, not only in the Fort St. John region, but throughout the province, Shypitka noted in a media release this morning.

“It is shameful that Mr. Horgan seems to think these jobs are all expendable,” said Shypitka. “With his rejection of resource projects and jobs, he has lost sight of the common worker. This has a ripple effect and could potentially deter investment and job creation across the province, including here in the Kootenays.”

On Monday, the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), representing over 1,000 employees working on the Site C Clean Energy Project, became the latest labour organization to voice concern over the NDP’s stated plan, noting that many Site C workers are scheduled to continue work until 2024 and many workers and their families have made ‘significant household decisions and commitments based upon the expectations of long-term work.’

Accordingly, Horgan’s plan threatens the livelihood and security of these workers and their families, Shypitka pointed out.

The CLAC has urged the BC NDP and Green Party bloc to allow construction to continue as scheduled, citing the economic impact of delays or project cancellation on the workers of Site C.

“The economic impact of any delays or cancellation on each individual worker and their families would be immense,” said Ryan Bruce, CLAC representative.

The most recent figures from BC Hydro show that Site C already employs over 2,200 workers, the vast majority of whom are British Columbians holding quality jobs, Shypitka added.

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