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ACTION ALERT: Tell Cabinet to Protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)
Say no to Taseko's Mine Proposal and Make Sure the Government Hears You!
September 3, 2010
The federal government is preparing to announce its decision on Taseko's proposed 'Prosperity Mine' project as early as Friday September 10. Generations of the Tsilhqot'in people have opposed the plan for this open-pit mine and the destruction of Teztan Biny.
We are calling on all those who support indigenous rights and water justice to take action.
Taseko is currently seeking regulatory approval from the federal government to destroy Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), while developing their proposed Prosperity Mine. The copper and gold mine would operate in the heart of Tsilhqot'in territories, south-west of Williams Lake in British Columbia.
How can a mining company destroy a pristine fish bearing lake? Lakes that would normally be protected as fish habitat by the Fisheries Act can now be redefined as 'tailings impoundment areas' by Schedule 2 in the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations of the Act. An estimated 85,000 rainbow trout will have their habitat destroyed if Taskeo's project goes ahead and one of the most pristine watersheds in the country, as well as the Fraser River, will be impacted by toxic leeching.
The Tsilhqot'in Nation have clearly and collectively said 'No' to a project which would jeopardize a sacred site of great cultural and historic significance. The Tsilhqot'in communities have not given consent to the Prosperity Mine project that would be in an area of proven aboriginal rights as determined in the Supreme Court of B.C. Secwepmec communities have also expressed opposition to the development of a power line needed to develop the mine through their territories. The Canadian government continues to refuse signing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
While Taseko has clearly ignore traditional indigenous economies while trumpeting the economic benefits of this mine, they have also ignored the associated public costs. Dr. Marvin Shaffer has estimated that the provincial government would be subsidizing the project with $20 million per year for the life of the project. Tax revenues from the mine are unlikely to be more than $7.5 million. The Tsilhqot'in communities, the public, future generations and the environment stand to lose much more.
Please act today! Lakes not Toxic Dump Sites! Solidarity with the Tsilhqot'in!
E-mail and call cabinet ministers now:
- Stephen Harper (Prime Minister) - Harper.S@parl.gc.ca; (613) 992-4211 or (403) 253-7990
- Jim Prentice (Minister of the Environment) - Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca; (613) 947-9475 or (403) 230-4368
- Gail Shea (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) - Shea.G@parl.gc.ca; (613) 992-9223 or (902) 432-6899
- John Duncan (Minister of Indian Affairs) - Duncan.J@parl.gc.ca; (613) 992-2503 or (250) 338-9381
- Tony Clement (Minister of Industry) - Clement.T@parl.gc.ca; (613) 992-5092 or (705) 746-9053
- Christian Paradis (Minister of Natural Resources) - Paradis.C@parl.gc.ca; (613) 995-1377 or (418) 338-2903
Web-links:
Read more the campaign against Schedule 2 changes to the Fisheries Act, www.canadians.org/TIA
Read Dr. Marvin Shaffer's submission to the federal review panel, www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents/41844/41844E.pdf
Read the Council of Canadians submission to the federal review panel, www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/41940/41940E.PDF (starting at page 280), or listen www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=41852 (at the 1 hour, 18 minute mark).
Watch the documentary Blue Gold: The Fight for Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), www.raventrust.com/projects/fishlaketeztanbiny/video-bluegold.html
Contact information for all cabinet ministers can be found here.
For more information please e-mail hgrewal@canadians.org or call 1-800-387-7177.
Posted by Harjap Grewal, Council of Canadians Friday Sep 03, 2010 12:28
Categories: Fish Lake | Tags: British Columbia, Council of Canadians, environment, First Nations, fish, indigenous, lakes, mining, MP, Taseko, Tsilhqot'in, water, Xeni Gwet'in
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What's the best way to support the Tsilhqot'in Nation and stop this project from destroying Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) if I am not a Canadian citizen?