The decision to close the door on independent power projects as the province grapples with BC Hydro’s fiscal woes is going to have impacts on First Nations.

Energy minister Michelle Mungall was asked what the impact will be for, especially remote, First Nations communities who rely economically on independent power projects.

“Unfortunately, the vast majority of the profits from those projects left the province – 80 per cent in fact,” she said. “They were not going first and foremost to First Nations communities.”

“We want to move forward on a program where we see the benefits go first and foremost to indigenous nations in the htis province. We’re going to be working with them on that.

The other big question is if we don’t need IPPs and the province is awash in electricity why are we building Site C?

Mungall says the previous government pushed it past the point of no return and while it is not something the NDP want it will provide valuable power in the future.

“When we went forward, it was because they would have a $4-bilion hole in the province’s coffers,” added Mungall. “That meant we wouldn’t be able to move forward with universal childcare for example.”

On top of a yet to be tabled Ministry of Finance review of BC Hydro’s books Energy minister Michelle Mungall the ‘Zapped’ report was just a phase one review.

Phase 2 is all about positioning BC Hydro for that future demand, she noted.