News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By Suzanne Whittingham 

It was Day 2 on March 23rd of the Federal Review Panel, 'Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project' at the Gibraltar Room in Williams Lake, BC. 

Those on the daytime schedule at the Gibraltar Room were: City of Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook, the Williams Lake Construction Association (Kevin Bourdon, Grant Barley, Bonnie Briffith, Bryan Newfeld), the Mining Association of BC (Pierre Gratton), the Williams Lake Field Naturalists (Fred McMechan), Tsilhqot'in Nation (Chiefs), Tsilhqot'in National Government (Roger Williams, Loretta Williams) and the Xat'sull First Nation (Thomas Phillips). 

Full transcripts and audio recordings of the proceedings are available to the public at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency web site at: www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca. Go to: 'Registry', then 'Panel Reviews', to 'Prosperity', to 'Hearing Documents'. 

On Day 2 of the proceedings, Chair Bob Connelly announced that a decision had been reached about the video documentary 'Blue Gold: The Tsilhzot'in Fight for Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)'. They had approved the admissibility of the video into the presentations to the panel. It will be shown at the Gibraltar Room on Wednesday evening. As well as this film, the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce has received permission to submit a film  as well. Mr. Connelly felt that after review of all of the arguments for and against the submission of films to the review panel, that they were not in violation of any procedural guidelines and simply presented information in another medium. In the case of the 'Blue Gold' video, people who spoke in the film would be available to answer questions when the Community portion of the hearings convened. 

Mayor Kerry Cook was the first speaker to present to the panel on March 23rd. She gave an outline of some of the historical context of the First Nations roots of this region as well as the effects of the economic downturn in the Cariboo Region over the last two years. She outlined, as well, some of the projects that are endeavoring to create long-term and sustainable solutions to this economic downturn. Some questions were voiced from the panel members as well as from the audience. You can listen to highlights of her talk in the video posted for the Day 2 panel hearing earlier in the day. 

Kevin Bourdon of the Williams Lake Construction Association addressed the review panel next. The Association comprises 35 members from the Williams Lake area that includes manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and many services related to the construction industry. This industry currently employs over 400 people in the region. They support the Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project for the diversification to the local economy that it would bring. The Region is resource focused, mainly in the area of ranching, forestry and mining. Kevin hopes that we can keep the mining resources strong in this community. He also mentioned that he felt that the proposed mining project would bring potential work for 700 construction workers. He was confident the project would bring “long term stability and viability for the Williams Lake area with an improvement to the tax base.” Mr. Bourdon was asked about some of the ups and downs that have occurred in the local economy. He was quick to reply that “with the drop-off in forestry, much of the construction supplies of pre-cast concrete are going out of town. There has been a definite drop-off to businesses here in Williams Lake.” He sees the Prosperity Project as part of the light at the end of the tunnel. He repeated the theme of the need for diversification as voiced by Mayor Kerry Cook. He said that the “more varied and broader spectrum that existed with all industries the better it would be for the local economy.” 

On Day 2, the Tsilhqot'in National Government made a presentation to the panel that covered the historical context of their people and the proposed mining project with regards to culture title and the environment. This complete document is available for viewing as #1899 on the link below. 

You can follow in more detail either through daily written transcripts or the audio recordings of the proceedings online. The direct link to the panel documents can be found at:  www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/05/documents-eng.cfm?evaluation=44811&type=2 

The evening schedule for the Panel Hearing included presentations from the Cariboo Chilcotin conservation Society (Alice Stoddard- held over from Day1), Ranchland Honda (David Baye), Doug Wilson, Russell Samuel Myers Ross, Federico Osorio, Jane Wellburn, Christine Hornby, Great West Equipment (Andrew Thompson), Carl Dormuth and Robert Loewen.

| More...