The hydro industry operates in a world of changing environmental events, government policy and environmental regulations. Here is a brief timeline of events, policies and regulations that relate to the industry and its environmental impacts:
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1868
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Government of Canada establishes the Fisheries Act to manage fisheries and protect fish life in coastal and inland areas. Overseen by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the regulation covers different aspects of the hydro industry, including impacts on fish habitat.
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1970s
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Manitoba Hydro builds Churchill River Diversion and Lake Winnipeg Regulation project to regulate water flows in the Nelson River, a northern area of the province, for power generation. These projects alter seasonal water flows and produce flooding along the Nelson River system. Local First Nations are affected by the project.
Scientists discover that hydro reservoirs are a source of mercury contamination in fish.
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1971
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Quebec government announces plans for the James Bay Project, a massive hydropower development in northern Quebec. Hydro-Quebec will build a series of dams, reservoirs and power stations on the Grand River, covering an area about 30 times the size of Prince Edward Island. The James Bay Cree and Inuit of northern Quebec, who total about 10,000 in number, lobby against the project, fearing the project will damage the environment and destroy their traditional way of life.
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1975
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After four years of court cases and bargaining, the James Bay Cree and Inuit sign the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement with the federal and provincial governments. Under the agreement, the Cree and Inuit give up their claim to certain land in northern Quebec in return for $225 million in compensation. The agreement also gives Aboriginal communities special hunting and fishing rights and more opportunity for self-government.
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1977
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Northern Flood Agreement is signed by the Canadian and Manitoba governments, Manitoba Hydro and five First Nations. The agreement sets out specific requirements for dealing with impacts of northern development projects.
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1979
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Phase one of the James Bay project is completed, producing 10,000 megawatts.
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Late 1970s
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Government and university researchers in Canada begin collecting samples of fish tissue from major river systems to determine mercury accumulation levels.
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1980s
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The number of independent hydro producers increases. Selling electricity to electric utilities, they develop small-scale hydro projects on rivers, streams and lakes (between one and 30 megawatts). Environmental concerns and lower capital costs help to increase industry and government interest in the potential of small hydro as an alternative electricity source.
In the late 1980s, the media report that about 15 per cent of James Bay Cree, who depend on the local fish for part of their diet, have above-normal mercury levels.
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1986
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Quebec government announces plans for the Great Whale Project to generate power mostly for export south of the border. The project would dam and divert five rivers flowing into Hudson Bay and flood over 3,500 square kilometres of land. Fearing environmental damage, the James Bay Cree join with environmental groups in launching a highly publicized campaign to stop the project.
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1990s
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Canadian governments begin to adopt more integrated approaches to manage inland and coastal watersheds. These consultative approaches bring together governments, hydro operators, local communities and other water users to develop water management plans for different river basins and watersheds.
Significant decreases in salmon stock become more apparent on the Pacific coast. This encourages public debate and concern about various human impacts, such as logging, road building, overfishing and hydro development, on fish and fish habitat.
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1991
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The James Bay Cree lobby potential U.S. electricity customers in an effort to stop the Great Whale Project and more hydro development in northern Quebec. An environmental group allied with the Cree places a full-page ad in the New York Times.
Manitoba Hydro establishes Environmental Partnership Fund. Since then, the fund has supported over 110 environmental community projects.
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1994
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Quebec halts its proposed Great Whale hydro project in northern Quebec in part because public concerns about the projects impact on the environment and local Aboriginal people.
Media reports that the number of James Bay Cree with above-normal mercury levels has decreased to 2.7 per cent of the population, compared with almost 15 per cent in the late 1980s. This decrease is attributed in part to educational programs in the Cree communities.
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1998
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At a meeting of federal and provincial ministers of energy and the environment, government officials conclude that hydropower can play an essential role in Canadas strategy to address global climate change.
BC Hydro develops water use planning process in response to increase demands on water resources in British Colombia. The process is designed to find a better balance between competing uses of domestic water supply, fish and wildlife, recreation and heritage and electrical power needs.
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1999
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New steps are taken to develop stronger relations between hydropower developers and Aboriginal peoples. In 1999, for example, the Innus-Montagnais sign an agreement making them shareholders with Hydro-Quebec of a hydro project.
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2002
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In December, the federal government ratifies the Kyoto Protocol. The Protocol commits Canada to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. The government also releases the Climate Change Draft Plan. The hydroelectricity industry encourages new hydro development as an initiative to help combat climate change.
The Canadian Electricity Association enters an agreement with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans to work in partnership to better protect fish and fish habitat resources associated with electricity generation.
Quebec government and the James Bay Cree sign a landmark deal that allows for continued hydro development in northern Quebec. The agreement gives the Cree $3.5 billion over 50 years, more control of their communities and the promise of more jobs in the hydro industry.
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