Men's Masters northern Play downs 32
February 12, 2014
$1.30 includes GST
One section, 36 pages
100milefreepress.net
FROSTY SKIERS
sister prepares to give bone marrow 6
Retro riding fun for whole family 19
INSIDE
opinion 8 letters 9 entertainment 22 sports 26 community 19 classifieds 29
The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
Gaven Crites photo
Salmon Arm cross-country skiers John Connor, front, and George Jackson were two of the close to 80 entrants who braved the cold to compete in the Cariboo Marathon on Feb. 8. These skiers led the 50-kilometre race early on at the 99 Mile Hill Ski Trails.
Contingent travels to Ottawa Politicians lobbied on New Prosperity Mine project benefits
Carole Rooney Free Press
A group of eight local supporters of the proposed New Prosperity Copper-Gold Project headed east last week to present their case to officials in Ottawa. They met with parliamentary secretaries Colin Carrie and Scott Armstrong, as well as Kamloopsbased Senator Nancy Greene Raine, the B.C.-Yukon Caucus and several other senators and MPs. South Cariboo businessman Len Doucette was among those visiting Parliament Hill. He says the eight Cariboo-based mine advocates went to deliver a message, and he believes that message was received “very positively.” “The B.C.-Yukon Caucus is unani-
mously in full support of the project Ottawa understands the imporas well ... we [heard] we were basi- tance of this project, he says. cally singing to the choir.” “It was nice that they understood Doucette adds all mem... our view, our concerns. I bers of the Cariboo group, think this was something we which included Caribooneeded to do.” Chilcotin MLA Donna Now, he says the whole Barnett, travelled at their group would “love to see” own expense. the federal government move Kamloops-Thompsonthe project to the provinCariboo MP Cathy McLeod cial permitting stage, with Len and Cariboo-Prince George the proviso Taseko Mines MP Dick Harris also par- Doucette remains committed to saving ticipated in the meetings, Fish Lake. he adds, and were “wholeheartedly” Nick Christianson was anothsupporting the project. er South Cariboo businessman in The group was unable to gain an the group, and he also came away audience with any ministers because on a positive note of confidence. of a judicial review underway for However, he says they did find some the project, Doucette explains, but it misconceptions held by politicians educated as many federal politicians in the country’s capital. as possible. “The message in [Ottawa] was
definitely not the one we have back here in British Columbia. We clarified some things about the project ... and we left the clear message that B.C. is in a crisis, and we have to move our province forward.” Barnett says she got the impression the federal politicians the group talked to wanted to hear what they had to say. “We said we were there about process, we were there about environment, and we were there to take into consideration all the concerns that have been out there.” The opportunity this group seized to speak in Ottawa is open to anyone, she notes. Barnett explains the local group also spoke about the wrong design that Taseko Mines claims was used Continued on 3