The strategic partnership between BC Hydro and CICE, and the public call for innovative projects, demonstrate proactive engagement in public and political behavior that aligns with progressive policies. This effort supports community resilience and ethical public policy in the clean energy sector.

CICE and BC Hydro Launch $3M Energy Storage Innovation Fund

The appointment of former BC Premier Glen Clark, a seasoned political leader with strong ties to progressive and democratic practices, enhances transparency and accountability at BC Hydro. This move is viewed positively in terms of executive political engagement, signaling a commitment to responsible governance and clean energy initiatives that align with anti-fascist values.

Former BC Premier Glen Clark brought in as BC Hydro board chair

The appointment of Glen Clark, a former premier with significant political experience, falls under the category of Executive Political Engagement. Although such appointments can indicate a blending of political and corporate governance, in this case the move is largely seen as a conventional political appointment within a Crown corporation. Clark’s background, including his progressive history and his acquittal of past controversies, does not signal an endorsement of authoritarian practices. As such, from an anti-fascist perspective, this event is evaluated as neutral.

Former B.C. premier Glen Clark appointed chair of B.C. Hydro

The ESG report emphasizes BC Hydro's commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment by actively applying principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, which supports worker rights and uplifts marginalized groups. This proactive approach aligns with anti-fascist and progressive business practices.

Environmental, social, and governance reporting

BC Hydro’s proactive updates to its supply chain policies — including enhanced due diligence, revised contract templates with explicit human rights clauses, and direct engagement with suppliers in higher-risk categories — demonstrate a strong commitment to combating forced and child labour. This initiative aligns with ethical business practices and supports anti-authoritarian labor standards.

Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act | Fiscal 2024 Report

BC Hydro's report demonstrates strong commitment to ethical supply chain practices. The company has updated its procurement policies, improved contract templates, and engaged with suppliers to ensure adherence to labor laws and human rights standards. These actions significantly reduce the risk of forced and child labour in its operations, reflecting positively on its business practices and ethical responsibility.

Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act | Fiscal 2024 Report

The standards require contractors to maintain ethical supply chain practices by ensuring that no forced labor or exploitation occurs. This proactive measure in ethical sourcing supports high standards in the 'Supply Chain Ethics' category.

Contractor standards for ethical conduct

The BCUC’s directive for an independent safety investigation highlights significant deficiencies in BC Hydro’s safety culture and practices, which are critical to protecting worker rights and ensuring ethical operational standards. This regulatory intervention reflects a failure in the company’s business practices and a neglect of worker safety, warranting a negative score from an anti-fascist perspective that emphasizes strong protections for marginalized workers.

BCUC Orders Third-Party Investigation into BC Hydro Safety Practices and Culture

By updating its Integrated Resource Plan and setting a strategic framework for sourcing clean energy, BC Hydro demonstrates responsible business practices. The emphasis on ethical engagement, particularly through consultations that support Indigenous ownership and local participation, reflects strong ethical commitment in its operations.

What to expect from BC Hydro's New Clean Power Call

The ratification of the collective agreement at BC Hydro reflects positive labor relations and a commitment to enhancing worker rights, wages, and benefits. Improved terms such as cost-of-living adjustments and provisions for domestic and sexual violence leave underscore a strong stance on human rights and ethical labor practices, which is a positive signal against labor exploitation and authoritarian practices.

MoveUP members ratify new collective agreement at BC Hydro & PowerTech – MoveUP

The investigation order highlights significant failures in BC Hydro's business practices and ethical responsibility. Despite warnings dating back to 2016 about high-risk underground vaults, the company did not escalate the issues, leading to a preventable explosion. This negligence in ensuring safety and compliance necessitates strong remedial action and exposes a deficient internal culture.

BCUC orders third-party investigation into BC Hydro due to explosion

The guidelines clearly outline BC Hydro's commitment to maintaining a fair, open, and transparent relationship with its suppliers. By setting strict parameters to avoid favoritism and ensuring due diligence, BC Hydro demonstrates positive ethical standards in its supply chain management. This proactive approach supports overall ethical business practices and aligns with anti-authoritarian values by ensuring accountability and reducing the risk of undue corporate influence over supplier interactions.

BC Hydro Supplier Interaction Guidelines

BC Hydro's implementation of a mandatory vaccination policy, despite being justified on public health grounds, led to punitive measures including forced unpaid leave for 44 employees and a union grievance. This decision, particularly the imposition of potential discipline, raises concerns about labor rights and supports an authoritarian approach that undermines fair labor practices.

Ruling that upholds B.C. Hydro's staff vaccine mandate ...

The reporting highlights that executives from Kirk & Company, which handles communications for BC Hydro's Site C project, have made personal political donations to the BC Liberal Party. This association suggests that BC Hydro, through its choice of partner in communications, may be indirectly engaging in political behavior that could influence policy outcomes in favor of established political entities, raising concerns from an anti-fascist perspective regarding undue corporate influence in politics.

How Site C entered the murky world of political donations and lobbying loopholes – The Discourse

The report details BC Hydro's ballooning contractual obligations and rising debt levels, highlighting a scenario where economic and structural pressures may be used to further political goals. This situation suggests a form of regulatory capture and economic influence that can negatively impact consumers and public trust.

Are B.C. Liberals And B.C. Hydro In Opposition?

BC Hydro's decision to shift from a traditional union-based labour model to an open-shop approach for the massive Site C project has sparked a legal battle by union groups. This move is perceived as a significant departure from decades of cooperative labour practices that ensured both stability in large public projects and safeguarded worker rights. Critics argue that the new model undermines the ability of unions to organize and negotiate effectively, potentially setting a worrying precedent for worker exploitation and state interference in labour rights. Such a change in labour relations represents a problematic trend in business practices that can have broader implications for democratic participation and social equity.

Union takes BC Hydro to court over Site C labour model