B.C. First Nation blocks construction of bridge replacement project

A First Nation in B.C.'s Interior is blocking access to the R.W. Bruhn Bridge construction site in Sicamous, B.C., over the alleged exclusion of its workers and businesses from the government-funded infrastructure project.

Since 10 a.m., Monday, four dump trucks from the Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC) have been parked at both ends of the bridge, halting construction on the new four-lane replacement.

The action was initiated by Splatsin First Nation and SDC in response to what they describe as a pattern of broken agreements by the Aecon Group Inc. and Emil Anderson Construction, the two firms contracted to build the bridge.

"This is sort of our only recourse … to set up these blockades to get some attention," said Kukpi7 (Chief) Mike Christian, who also chairs the SDC board. 

"Our members, you can kind of refer to a lot of them as impoverished. That's why we're fighting back, because every little bit of economic [opportunity] helps."

The bridge replacement project is being carried out by Aecon-Emil Anderson Construction General Partnership (AEGP), a 50-50 joint venture delivering the $224-million project for the province of B.C. The work includes the construction of a new multi-use bridge over the Sicamous Narrows, highway widening, and intersection upgrades.

Despite being located in Secwépemc territory, SDC says the community has been sidelined from meaningful participation in the project. 

"This was presented as a two-year opportunity. Instead, they've given us just three months of meaningful work," said Grahame Go, CEO of SDC, in a statement Monday. "What we've experienced instead is corporate opportunism —exploiting our partnership for their benefit and then sidelining us to cut costs."

Among the specific grievances outlined by Splatsin are the removal of an Indigenous-operated emergency medical vehicle, the removal of SDC trucks from the site despite a 50/50 trucking agreement with the SDC, and frequent last-minute schedule changes that resulted in job insecurity for Indigenous crews. 

The nation also says Indigenous workers were sometimes arbitrarily sent home without explanation, and that fuel purchase agreements benefiting Indigenous suppliers were "undermined."

Christian said what the community wants is clear: "A signed agreement from the Ministry of Transportation or the two companies that they're going to straighten this issue … stick to the letter of the contract."

He says that while this may cause some inconvenience to commuters, traffic is still allowed through a designated detour route. 

In a statement to CBC News, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit said it is "aware of what's happening at the Bruhn Bridge project."

"We recognize the deep cultural roots that Splatsin has to the area," the statement read. "We are working closely with all parties to address the concerns being raised and to resolve the issues as quickly as possible."