VANCOUVER - A look at what was said about the B.C. government's decision to proceed with the controversial $8.8 billion Site C hydroelectric dam.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark: "In the life of any province, there are moments where each of us has an opportunity, a responsibility, to make big decisions, ones that are going to matter, in this case, for a century. And today is that day."

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip: "This is an ill-advised and incredibly stupid decision the province has made regarding the Site C Project. "

Opposition New Democrat Leader John Horgan: "This is a $9 billion gamble from a premier who we can't take her word ... I'm not convinced we've seen the final number on this."

BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald: "This project will build on the success of our existing hydroelectric system and benefit British Columbians for generations to come."

Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett: "It's clear that to keep rates low, we must choose the option of building Site C."

Sierra Club B.C.'s Ana Simeon: "Sierra Club BC is extremely disappointed at the B.C. government's decision to proceed with the proposed Site C dam, despite vehement opposition from Treaty 8 First Nations, local landowners, and the findings of the joint review panel."

Clean Energy B.C. executive director Paul Kariya: "We're disappointed, of course, that our industry was not chosen as an alternative to Site C — we have shown that we are a valid and cost-effective alternative, and a big creator of jobs for British Columbians."

Wilderness B.C. national campaign director Joe Foy: "The Site C dam project is so damaging to the environment and wasteful of taxpayers funds that it's beyond me how any government could come out in favour of building it — but they have."

B.C. Chamber of Commerce president and CEO John Winter: "By committing to building Site C, government is investing in B.C.'s continued access to the energy we need to take B.C. forward."

First Nations Summit political executive Robert Phillips: "B.C. and Canada have chosen to completely ignore their constitutional duty to consult and accommodate Treaty 8 First Nations prior to making this decision."

B.C. LNG Alliance president David Keane: "Today's Site C announcement reinforces the need for all levels of government, First Nations, and labour to work closely together so we can ensure British Columbia has the skilled labour force it needs to seize all of the opportunities before it."

This Canadian Press article also appeared in Houston Today.

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