Beauhamois Power Project
of power, the regulation of price thereof and the other matters now referred to in the regulations respecting Dominion water-powers.
Approval by the government of the application, is given subject to conditions which also include provisions,-
That the diversion of water authorized by the province of Quebec shall be effected by and at the cost of the company by the construction of a canal 600 feet wide on the bottom, by 27 feet in depth at low stage, and at a rate of flow not exceeding 2i feet per second; that the canal, the embankments, walls, and retaining structures shall be constructed and maintained by the company in accordance with the standards of the international joint board of engineers and that the canal and every part thereof shall be constantly available for public navigation to the same extent as that provided in the case of the new Welland ship canal;
That the company shall convey to the crown in the right of the Dominion of Canada, free of all cost or encumbrance, whatever property may be selected by the government for the purpose of sites for locks, approach works, guard piers and appurtenant works leading from the canal to lake St. Dorns, and Shall provide such sites for aids to navigation and public wharves as may be determined by the government to be necessary;
That the company shall provide, free of cost to the government, electric power for the operation of locks and bridges and for lighting along the canal up to 3,500 horsepower per annum maximum demand, and in case additional power be required the company shall supply it at a rate not exceeding that paid by the customer having the lowest contract price with the company;
That the company shall not commence construction work until detailed plans have been approved, and the company shall whenever required provide any additions to, alterations in or removal of the works to preserve and maintain navigation on the river St. Lawrence ;
That the works shall be constructed by the company to the satisfaction of the engineer or engineers authorized for such purpose by the minister, and the decision of the engineer or engineers shall be final and conclusive upon all questions which may arise in connection with the construction of the works;
That the works approved or made shall at no time raise the natural level of the water
in the river St. Lawrence above the international boundary, or in any way contravene the terms of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 or the treaty of Washington of 1871;
That the company shall save the Dominion government harmless should the construction of the work affect rights heretofore existing, and shall be responsible for and must compensate for any damage caused by the works to other companies or interests owning or operating water-powers on the St. Lawrence river, and shall settle all claims of riparians and other persons who may sustain any loss or damage in connection with the construction of the company's works;
That His Majesty shall at any time be entitled to acquire and take over the canals, works, buildings, erections or other property of the company constructed under or pursuant to or in lieu of tlhe works shown in the plans approved by the order in council, and the lands upon which they are made or constructed, or such part thereof as in the opinion of the governor in council may be necessary, paying therefor such compensation as may be agreed upon between the parties or as may be fixed by the Exchequer Court of Canada in case of failure to agree; but in fixing such compensation consideration shall not be given to rights or privileges acquired by the company under or by virtue of the order in council granting approval;
That the company shall submit to all regulations imposed in the interest of navigation, and that the works approved or any modifications therein hereafter approved shall be operated in conformity with the requirements of navigation on the St. Lawrence river, and the water to be used shall not at any time exceed the maximum quantity of 40,000 cubic feet per second;
That in any question arising upon the application the settlement thereof shall be governed by the full recognition of the dominant interest of navigation and tb" necessity of reserving therefor all or any requisite parts of the natural flow of the St. Lawrence river.
From the foregoing it will be apparent that in granting its approval under the Navigable Waters Protection Act, of the plans and site of the Beauharnois Light, Heat and Power Company, the department has fully and adequately protected the public interest both with respect to conditions as at present existing and as regards all possible future develop^ ment. of a greater St. Lawrence shipway.
The Budget-Mr. Manion
In order that bon. members may have full information at the earliest possible moment I desire to lay on the table the order in council passed to-day.
