It’s lilac time. The lilac is Williams Lake’s official flower. How many know that?
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The federal government’s plan to outlaw assault rifles has upset many people. It had an interesting reaction from one member of our family. Five-year-old GGS#3 likes to watch the news, including the Prime Minister’s regular appearances. He took the PM’s announcement of the gun ban very seriously. He lined up his collection of nerf guns on the floor and asked his dad to show him which ones he’d have to give up.
One divisive issue seems to have been resolved, hopefully once and for all. The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed Taseko Mines Ltd.’s latest try for approval of Prosperity Mine. This should put an end to the decades’ long dispute, unless Taseko has something else in mind. I shudder to think how much money has been spent on court costs alone.
The former provincial government gave the mine proposal its blessing, but the Harper government rejected it twice (2013, 2014) after two different federally appointed environmental panels found it would have “significant and immitigable impacts on water quality, fisheries, Tsilhqot’in cultural heritage.”
Williams Lakers might do well to remember the Canadian Supreme Court ruled in February, 2018, that the land now occupied by the city was illegally taken from the Williams Lake Indian Band in the 1860s. WLIBIR#6 was somehow missed by the settlers.
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Some people have exaggerated ideas of their “rights” when it comes to the practicing the COVID-19 rules of distancing and staying home, etc. The thing is, rights have responsibilities, and the rights of your fist ends at my nose. Let’s hope members of the public are adult enough to abide by the rules intended to stop the pandemic so we don’t mess up the reopening of businesses and recreation.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian and book author.
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