100 Mile House Free Press, April 23, 2014

Page 1

SHriners host successful dinner auction A19

APRIL 23, 2014

$1.30 includes GST

training underway at firerescue A3

Students awarded at Science Fair B1

INSIDE

opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment B3 sports A23 community B1 classifieds A26

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

Two Sections, 44 pages

Taseko defends Prosperity

100milefreepress.net

PAINTED PONIES

Federal mining decision disputed in judicial reviews

Carole Rooney

sions in two separate judicial reviews and make recommendations to government, Brian Battison, Taseko Battison notes. Mines Ltd. vice-president “We have asked for an of corporate affairs, says the order to quash the decisions company’s objection to a of the minister regarding the recent federal environmen- significance of [environmental review process is tal] effects ... and “all about fairness.” to quash the deciThe Conservative sion of Governor government’s deciin Council [ruling sion to reject New for cabinet] ... that Prosperity is a “seri‘likely environmenous situation” with tal effects’ are not billions of dollars at justified in the cirplay, thousands of cumstances.” Brian new jobs at stake, Battison The company and fairness of is also asking the government processes in court to refer the decision question, he adds. back to the Governor in “The federal review Council for consideration, panel failed in its duty to along with the court’s direcdeliver a fair process. The tion on where it wants consequences of that fail- government to go, he adds. ure resulted in the federal “Then the fourth part is Minister of Environment a declaration that sections [Leona Aglukkaq] and the of CEAA 2012 [Canadian cabinet of Canada in making Environmental Assessment the wrong decision.” Act, 2012] are unconstituBoth are being disputed by tional and thus have no force Taseko, which has requested and effect.” the court to review the deciContinued on A7 Free Press

Gaven Crites photo

Patience Goulet, 4, was one of several youngsters painting horses in bright colours with non-toxic paints at The Hills Health Ranch at 108 Mile on April 19. The fun event was part of the resort's Easter children’s program.

Teachers commence strike action The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) begins Stage 1 job action today (April 23). Cariboo Chilcotin Teachers’ Association president Murray Helmer notes this first stage is administrative in nature only. “So really, I don’t see many instances where students will notice a difference at all," Helmer says of the job action. Teachers will continue to write report cards, communicate with parents and participate in volunteer extracurricular activities, he says, adding parents will know what's going on with their

Local teachers reducing administrative duties

children. Helmer says it is “frustrating” that more than six weeks after teachers voted on a strike mandate, government’s offer remains almost unchanged, with wage increases at about 6.5 per cent over three years. Government came back to the table with “a little bit” by adding a half a per cent to its proposed

salary increase, but most of that left teachers losing something else, he explains. Education Minister Peter Fassbender says the teachers’ union has not budged, either, from its initial position in this round of 13.5 per cent over three years. Helmer says that number is a guess – probably “on the high side” – since it depends on inflation. The BCTF actually asked for three per cent a year for three years, with a variable cost-of-living review every six months, he explains. Continued on A4


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