The Williams Lake and Quesnel Chambers of Commerce joined forces with leaders of B.C. business, mining, and mining supplier organizations to promote Taseko’s New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project during a media event held in Vancouver Tuesday.
“The event was put on by the B.C. Chamber, but this really snowballed from the Williams Lake Chamber’s position on New Prosperity,” said Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce president Jason Ryll Tuesday afternoon.
“We had asked the BC Chamber to lend its support behind us in trying to get the project to move forward.”
The BC Chamber brought the event together, along with Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett and Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, to try and make sure a clear message is sent to Ottawa that B.C. needs the mine, Ryll added.
“It’s our collective view that the New Prosperity project must be evaluated with full consideration for both the great social and economic benefits it would create and for B.C.’s proven track record of building and operating mines in a safe and environmentally sound manner,” said BC Chamber president John Winter.
Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook who attended said the city sees the New Prosperity project as an opportunity to provide new jobs, training opportunities and enhanced economic activity.
“In addition, it is a project that affords our region — municipalities and First Nations communities alike — an opportunity to work together and address common challenges we face in terms of job growth, business and community development,” Cook said.
Ryll said Bennett will meet with government representatives in Ottawa this Thursday.
Tsilhqot’in National Government representatives opposed to the mine could not be reached for comment by press time.