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POPE’S APOLOGY
‘What’s next is reparation, restitution,’ says deacon
Acciona sues Metro over mega-project contract JANE SEYD
CHARLIE CAREY
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter/ccarey@nsnews.com
jseyd@nsnews.com
As the Pope sat down with nearly 200 First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegates last week, the apology given received a mix of welcomed relief and desire to do more.
The company originally contracted to build the North Shore’s massive new sewage plant has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Metro Vancouver, alleging its contract with the regional government was wrongfully terminated.
Giving his speech in Italian, Pope Francis told delegates that he feels “sorrow and shame – for the role that a number of Catholics, particularly those with educational responsibilities, have had in all these things that wounded you, in the abuses you suffered and in the lack of respect shown for your identity, your culture and even your spiritual values. “All these things are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask for God’s forgiveness, and I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry. And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your pardon,” he said. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) member and St. Paul’s Parish Deacon Rennie Nahanee told the North Shore News the Papal apology made him feel “elated” and makes his job of reconciliation between the church and Indigenous people a lot easier. “But that’s only the start. People wanted the apology; they got the apology. So, what’s next is reparation, restitution,” Nahanee said. “How is the church going to make amends for things that they did in the past. … I believe Continued on page 20
Deacon Rennie Nahanee, here at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, believes the Pope’s recent apology is just the beginning. PAUL MCGRATH/NSN
In a lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court Thursday, Acciona is seeking more than $250 million for unpaid costs related to the project, as well as lost profits and lost opportunity as a result of “diminished reputation” caused by Metro ending its contract. In the 98-page document, Acciona alleges the design of the project was subject to numerous significant changes by Metro, and that it was not physically possible to build the project Metro wanted on the site selected. The company alleges it was Metro’s delay of or withholding of approvals on necessary changes that resulted in delays to the project. Serious soil conditions on the site that resulted in increased costs and delays also weren’t known until after the company signed the project agreement, the company alleges. Acciona was selected by Metro to design and build the new North Shore Wastewater Treatment plan serving North and West Vancouver in April 2017 for a contract price Continued on page 4
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