Protect Fish Lake: Heed expert advice

OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to respect the recommendations made by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Panel (CEAA) to not accept plans for the development of an open-pit gold-copper mine 125 km southwest of Williams Lake, B.C.

 “This proposed project will result in the generation of tailings which will have a negative impact on fish habitat, navigation, and land use for traditional purposes by First Nations and will infringe on Aboriginal rights and title which are protected in the Canadian Constitution,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada

 “If the panel has concluded that the mine will have cumulative, high and irreversible impacts on people and endangered species, like grizzly bears, I don’t see how the government can ignore their recommendations,” said Lorraine Rekmans, Aboriginal Affairs Critic for the Green Party of Canada.

 “This panel has acknowledged the cost of this mine will result in the loss of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).  In this time of climate change, water is becoming increasingly scarce.  This is no time to sacrifice lakes for gold.  You can’t drink gold when you’re thirsty,” said Rekmans.

In the 20 years that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act has been in force, only two projects were deemed to have “significant adverse environmental effects.”

“The Green Party is calling on this government to respect the gravity of this development and not approve this mine,” said May.

“What concerns me and others is that this government has power under section 37(1) of CEAA to override an independent review panel's findings.  Our hope is that they will listen to reason and not approve the project for the sake of future generations,” said Rekmans.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca