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

By Jason Ryll 

Minister of State for Mining in BC Randy Hawes visited the Cariboo yesterday to attend an extraordinary meeting for the Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Hawes came at the invitation of the local Chamber, which has been working hard to support the Prosperity mine project.  The President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, John Winter, also joined Hawes as a guest speaker.  Both spoke in favour of the Prosperity project and outlined predicted outcomes of what the Interior and other economically challenged areas of the province could look like without growth in the mining industry. 

At the outset of the meeting new Chamber President Walt Cobb addressed the apparent lack of support for the Prosperity project from the United Steel Workers Union, as well as from Northern MLA Bob Simpson. Both have been asked to write letters in support of the project and those requests have either been denied or received no response.  

Winter spoke about the fact that the BC Chamber is not only in support of the Prosperity Mine project but also has a policy supporting growth in mining in the province.  He predicted what might happen in both cases if the mine were to go ahead and if it were to not.  If approved, Winter predicts that there will be opposition on behalf of First Nations as well as ongoing and increasing criticism of government by non-governmental organizations (NGO).  If denied, his predictions include the general population of the area and province would be upset with government and also First Nations, it would send shockwaves through to other potential land use based business, and send a clear and serious signal to business investors around the world that BC’s business climate is not favourable. 

Minister Hawes, a former resident of Williams Lake, echoed Winters’ predictions and outlined the advantages to all people with the potential growth in mining in the area and how it could impact the local economy.  He cited areas like Terrace and area where they are set to bring online “half a dozen” mines in the area, which is going to be a huge boon to the local economy.  Princeton is another example of an area where Copper Mountain is set to re-open and help the local economy, as is Mt. Milligan near Mackenzie.

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Hawes explained that mining is the highest paying resource industry in the world today with average salaries near $110 thousand per year.  Mining in the province is also following a new revenue sharing model, which gives back substantial portions of profits to affected First Nations.  First Nations also stand to gain through the IBA process, or Impact Benefit Agreement.  Impact and benefit agreements are intended to ensure that Aboriginal peoples benefit from mining projects and are compensated for the negative impacts of mines on their communities, their land, and their traditional way of life.  Hawes’ hope is that the Prosperity mine project gets Federal approval for development and said “Prosperity brings hope”.

Both Winter and Hawes then took time to answer questions from the audience, which included questions from Chief Marilyn Baptiste of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations, Chief Joe Alphonse of the Tsilhqo’tin First Nations.  Chief Alphonse spoke briefly about how First Nations want to be positively involved in the community and are not against progress arbitrarily.  He identified the development of the bio-mass energy project, valued at approximately $260 million dollars as an example of their willingness to move ahead. 

Chief Baptiste, however made points about the First Nations being left out of the decision making process.  Minister Hawes countered with the fact that the Provincial government has repeatedly invited First Nations to negotiate and be a part of the process and has always had an “open door policy” in trying to resolve First Nations concerns.

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