VICTORIA – New Democrat spokesperson on labour Shane Simpson and spokesperson on B.C. Hydro Adrian Dix issued the following statement:

“The B.C. Liberals and Energy Minister Bill Bennett are misrepresenting the truth about the B.C. New Democrats’ position on the Site C labour agreement.

“The truth is the B.C. Liberals ripped up the Allied Hydro agreement, a very specific project labour agreement that has been fundamental in the success of dam construction in British Columbia for decades. That agreement was strongly supported by the labour movement and has been supported by premiers from W.A.C. Bennett to Gordon Campbell.

“Only after the B.C. Building Trades threatened court action did the Liberals come to the table to negotiate with them. We fully appreciate and support the Building Trades getting the best agreement they can for their members in a difficult situation.

“The B.C. Liberals can play political games with this expensive project, but New Democrats will continue to defend the best interests of ratepayers, taxpayers, and working people in British Columbia.”