Prince George, BC – BC industry is weighing the implications of the Supreme court ruling granting Aboriginal Title to the Tsilhqot'in First Nation, west of Williams Lake.

For Taseko Mines – the company trying to establish a mine in the Fish Lake area – the company's proposed site falls outside of the land title area.  Spokesperson, Brian Battison, says the mine site is the only one in BC where aboriginal title does not exist.

The Council Of Forest Industries issued a statement which echoes what many industry leaders have been saying. COFI President and CEO, James Gorman says ,“We are studying the Supreme Court decision in order to better understand its implications on our industry and the communities that rely on us. Regulatory certainty is a critical factor in the forest industry’s ability to do business. (Yesterday’s) decision further emphasizes the importance of working closely with First Nations and building on the important relationships we have worked hard to establish over the past decades.”

Alex Ferguson, VP of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says, they, too,  are studying the ruling.

He says it is difficult to say how it will affect Enbridge's Northern Gateway project, or the proposed Kinder Morgan, Trans Mountain Pipeline.

Aboriginal bands from across BC and from the proposed route of Enbridge have said the decision adds weight to their ability to mount opposition in spite of the Federal government approval of Enbridge.