Along with many others, I sat at through the Prosperity mine environmental assessment panel hearings last spring and heard the Taseko people say there was no way the mine could be built without destroying Fish Lake.
It was lake or mine. End of story.
There were doubters in the audience.
Some remembered previous studies and thought it was more a matter of cost than “can’t do.” It seems they were right. Last week Taseko’s Brian Battison was reported saying now that gold prices are high, the price is right for a Plan B.
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The Public Eye is a daily blog published by independent journalist Sean Holman. Holman and his staff report on the activities (antics?) of B.C.’s federal, provincial and local politicians. You rarely find the information anywhere else unless someone quotes Public Eye.
PE recently listed the MLAs who are supporting Liberal and NDP leadership candidates. Liberals — Abbott, 14; Falcon 13; Clark one; Stillwell, De Jong and Mayne none.
NDP’s Dix has three; Farnworth two; Horgan one; Lali, Simons and Larsen none. Holman also lists what he calls the loose fish — uncommitted legislators. Our Donna Barnett is among them.
Two comments.
Maybe the candidates without endorsements are the wise ones. They aren’t carrying anyone else’s baggage. And, as a political junkie, I was surprised how many MLAs on both sides I’d never heard of.
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Local political pundit Steve Forseth reports city council is considering upping their per diem (for meals) from $60 to $80 a day. Councillors are working hard to find ways to give Williams Lake’s economy a boost.
Is this part of the plan? Will the extra 20 bucks in councillors’ pockets trickle down to help Joe Public pay his grocery bill or taxes?
Or is it to compensate councillors for the HST on meals? Whatever, it’s odd timing.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.