100 Mile House
Free Press takes first place in 2011 Ma Murray awards
South Cariboo golf courses ready for play
Local missionaries journey to Mexico
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APRIL 25, 2012
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• 48 Pages • Two Sections
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Prosperity meeting packed Valley Room Carole Rooney Free Press
More than 150 people packed the Valley Room in 100 Mile House to hear what Taskeo Mines Ltd. management had to say about its New Prosperity Mine proposal. Brian Battison, Taseko corporate affairs vice-president, gave a half-hour presentation, after expressing his appreciation for the large turnout, which he later noted gives the company “confidence in what we are doing here.” He began with a history of Taseko’s success in reopening Gibraltar Mine 20 years ago, and the previous Prosperity proposal’s rejection by the federal government. “We have not given up on New Prosperity because we feel this region and this community has not given up on us. So, we will see this through to the finish.” Battison also played a video detailing site plans for the New Prosperity Mine, including an employee camp, the tailing ponds and drainage, how the mine intends to preserve the integrity of the adjacent Fish Lake, as well as other aspects. He then encouraged the crowd to show up and express support when
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the federal review panel comes to the community for input. “And then, turn your attention toward Ottawa, and let the political leaders in this country also hear your voice.” The “greatest value and benefit in mining flows to people” through mine employees, suppliers and communities, Battison explained. He added if the “political, financial and commodity price risks Taseko has taken turn out reasonable and not overwhelming,” this will allow Taseko to reinvest profits in the province and have “perhaps even something” left to pass along to the “loyal shareholders.” Battison concluded by inviting people to stay and ask questions of himself and the four other Taseko employees present.
Carole Rooney photo
See TASEKO… page A6
Taseko Mines Ltd. investor relations co-ordinator Ainsley Hallbauer, left, answers questions posed by Stephanie Masun at the New Prosperity Mine project information meeting in the Valley Room on April 17.
Union removes all after-hour supports Grad ceremonies in jeopardy across the district Carole Rooney Free Press
The future of this year’s after-hours graduation activities, field trips, sports events and other activities is up in the air with the recent removal of volunteer services provided by public school teachers. In protest of the government’s Bill 22 legislation, British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) members voted 73 per cent in favour of a withdrawal of all extracurricular activities,
April 17-19. Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers’ Association (CCTA) president Joan Erb confirms all activities requiring teacher participation outside of class time will only take place if alternate organizers and/or supervision can be arranged. “The extracurricular does include grad. Some locals have their graduation ceremonies during instructional hours ... so then teachers participate [fully].” Any extracurricular activities where adminis-
tration staff and parents can’t fill the void will be cancelled, she explains. Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) usually holds its capand-gown graduation ceremonies in the evening, but it’s not clear how, or if, that will happen now. PSO principal Vic Brett says the news is still “too fresh” to comment on the impact on grad or other activities until the issue has been reviewed by the school district administration. “Right now, the dis-
trict is looking at that and reviewing it. They’re just gathering information and reviewing it and looking at the whole process. So, I don’t know other than that.” School District 27 superintendent Diane Wright was unavailable to comment before press time. Meanwhile, Erb says teachers can attend afterclass grad ceremonies as spectators, but can’t sit with staff. “It’s very disappointing that we’ve been put in this position, but with-
drawing extracurricular is our last defence that we have to fight Bill 22.” She adds Bill 22 not only “violates” teachers constitutional rights, but also their collective bargaining rights. All unions have the right to collectively negotiate a contract, Erb explains, yet Bill 22 takes that right away. “Bill 27 and 28 were deemed unconstitutional, and yet [those are] part of Bill 22. It also impeaches our collective agreement See TEACHERS… page A5