BC Hydro fires CEO Jessica McDonald

McDonald’s departure comes as the NDP gets ready to review Site C

Marking the end of an era at BC Hydro, Jessica McDonald has been fired as president and CEO of the public utility. Her replacement: Chris O’Riley, promoted to president from deputy CEO. Board chair Brad Bennett, a onetime adviser to the BC Liberal Party, was also shown the door this week. Replacing Bennett is Kenneth Peterson, former CEO of Powerex Corp., BC Hydro’s energy marketing and trading subsidiary.

McDonald served as deputy minister to ex-premier Gordon Campbell before taking charge of BC Hydro in 2014. Last year we named her one of B.C.’s most influential women and interviewed her about the controversial Site C dam, which the Premier John Horgan’s new NDP government plans to review.