Editor:
Re: ‘Mine permit denied’ in the April 5 issue of the Williams Lake Tribune.
First of all, congratulations to the Tsilhqot’in National Government on the injunction granted by the BC Court of Appeal on April 1, once again putting a hold on Taseko Mines Ltd’s seemingly endless crusade to mine what is now the Tez’tan Biny area.
I appreciate how extremely frustrating these repeated attempts must be for those fighting so hard for so many years now to protect it.
Taseko Mines Ltd and those who represent it have a lot of nerve, keeping Prosperity Project alive for so long in spite of so much heartfelt opposition by the people who have depended on the land and nurtured and loved it for generations.
Brian Battison, vice president of Corporate Affairs at Taseko Mines, is once again relentless as he asserts that “the company’s position remains unaltered” and dredges up the standard old fear-mongering lines about how regulation practices and court options are “impacting B.C.’s reputation as an investment destination.”
The idea that we should all be shaking in our boots because companies like Taseko won’t want to “invest” in B.C. if mining companies aren’t permitted to charge around unregulated and unchecked is hilarious in a way.
READ MORE: TNG appeal against Taseko’s exploratory drilling permit dismissed by top court
The truth is that if these big corporate power houses pulled out of here and went somewhere else due to regulations and attempts at protecting the environment, it seems quite possible that there would be more room for companies who respect the environment and First Nations title to move in and “invest.”
Maybe this area could be a destination for innovations in sustainability and environmental ethics, who knows?
Chief Lulua is right when he says that Taseko is now blindly wading into some very grey area by trying to mow over the only First Nation in Canada who has title and rights.
I think the train is leaving the station, and Taseko is not on it. Sad but true.
READ MORE: B.C.’s top court halts Taseko’s exploratory drilling, again
The Tsilhqot’in people are invested in the land, they have been for generations.
These are the people that can be trusted to be stewards of this land, because they are not motivated by short term monetary gains.
These are the people who can see the big picture, who are invested in preserving the land for future generations, and who are willing to fight for it.
This is the kind of investment I am willing to get behind.
Cherrie Carr
Williams Lake
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