Media reports BC’s Minister of Energy and Mines will join Taseko Ltd in joint lobbying effort

Media has reported that BC’s Minister of Energy and Mines
Bill Bennett, will join Taseko Ltd in a joint lobbying effort to Ottawa to support and seek to sway federal decision-makers to permit the development of the twice rejected New Prosperity Mine in Tsilhqot’in Territory. “What a shamefully blatant act of political interference on the part of the province to deliberately disregard the ethical principles and objectivity of the environmental review process and agree to openly lobby Canada on behalf of Taseko Mines Ltd,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.  “Taseko has tried and desperately tried again to have this mine approved, but it is clear by the Joint Review Panels that this proposal is fundamentally flawed and would ultimately result in the destruction of Teztan Biny and represent environmental and cultural devastation for the Tsilhqot’in people.” Chief Bob Chamberlin, vice-president of UBCIC, said “We will continue to support and stand with the Tsilhqot’in Nation to ensure that this project does not proceed. For the protection of their future, their communities and their cultures, this area is of such significance that if Minister Aglukkaq does approve this project we will only see continued conflict in the courtroom and on the ground.”