AUGUST 28, 2013
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SHOW AND SALE WRAPS UP A5 Two Sections, 52 pages
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Tahbi Skye, left, and Yarrow Earthheart of Skye Farms in Lumby showed off some of their garlic harvest at the South Cariboo Garlic festival on Aug. 24. The farm is a regular vendor at the annual weekend-long festival in Lac la Hache. (See more photos on page B1.)
Hearings wrap up with remarks Supporters message: let us ‘live long and prosper’ at home Carole Rooney Free Press
Two local businessmen were among the more than two dozen people who spoke their minds when the federal New Prosperity GoldCopper Project environmental review panel wrapped up its public hearing sessions with a Closing Remarks Session on Aug. 23. Len Doucette says he made two presentations to the panel, one as a South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) representative, and one for his Say Yes to New Prosperity (SYNP) Facebook group. Both were essentially a summary of the social and economic impacts the mine could have on 100 Mile House, and he began with his SYNP summary. “The new mine will be employing
700 people in the construction phase seeking employment elsewhere is and 600 during operation, with well demonstrated by the 25 per cent over 1,200 indirect jobs. We are a ratio of seniors in the region, he says, resource-based community, and adding this is well over the provinwith Boss Mountain [mine] closing cial average. in the early 1980s, it is time that we On behalf of the SCCC, Doucette welcome a new mine – spenotes he centred his panel cifically, New Prosperity.” remarks on potential Doucette notes he mine impacts to the South explained his children and Cariboo economy. grandchildren should have “The economic and social an option to “stay, live and benefits that it will generate prosper” in their home comwill most certainly be felt munity and not be forced to within the South Cariboo LEN DOUCETTE leave to find work. community through jobs “Student enrolment is – both direct and indirect down by 38 per cent since from 2001. supplies in support of local busiThe socio-economic index released ness.” by School District #27 shows the Doucette says he felt his closing Cariboo-Chilcotin in 49th place out remarks were well received by the of 57 [districts].” panel, but adds the session was not This exodus of younger workers as well attended as the hearings.
Nick Christianson addressed the panel on behalf of himself and his family. Christianson says he told the panel it is now clear to him the mine project controversy is merely a way for First Nations groups to pursue land-claims issues. “The government needs to deal with First Nations [land claims] ... they are limiting progress because of this stumbling block. “I don’t think the [First Nations involved] understand you can’t hold the proponents as a ‘hostage’ to further their land claims.” He notes an Aug. 21 Prince George Citizen article states some First Nations presenters “repeatedly” told the panel the mine location Continued on A4