Quesnel-  The Cariboo Regional District Board and its member municipalities of Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and Wells are expressing united support for the Prosperity Gold Copper Mine project proposed by Taseko Mines.

 

A joint letter conveying the region’s strong support for the Prosperity Mine was sent to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Cabinet.

 

The letter, signed by the Mayors of Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Quesnel, Wells and the CRD Chair, was presented by Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris to the National Caucus on Thursday, August 5.

 

The Board and Municipal Councils recognize the importance of the environmental issues and the First Nations use of the lands for traditional purposes and cultural heritage.

 

The letter also indicates that the local governments are committed to working with all parties to ensure those impacts are addressed in the most effective and meaningful manner possible. A project of this magnitude will have some environmental and social impacts that can’t be completely mitigated. The reality however, is that a balance must be achieved between the environmental, social and economic benefits and detriments of the project to meet the interests of all parties.

 

The local government leaders strongly conveyed the economic challenges faced by Cariboo communities resulting from a declining forest industry, mountain pine beetle epidemic and the global recession.

 

They are urging government to ensure that the economic benefits of the mine to our region are realized, while ensuring a balanced approach to dealing with the environmental and social impacts that naturally flow from a development in our resource areas.