*ACTION ALERT: Tell Cabinet to Protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)* *Say no to Taseko's Mine Proposal and Make Sure the Government Hears You!*
September 3, 2010 The federal government is preparing to announce its decision on Taseko's proposed 'Prosperity Mine' project as early as Friday September 10. Generations of the Tsilhqot'in people have opposed the plan for this open-pit mine and the destruction of Teztan Biny. We are calling on all those who support indigenous rights and water justice to take action. Taseko is currently seeking regulatory approval from the federal government to destroy Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), while developing their proposed Prosperity Mine. The copper and gold mine would operate in the heart of Tsilhqot'in territories, south-west of Williams Lake in British Columbia. How can a mining company destroy a pristine fish bearing lake? Lakes that would normally be protected as fish habitat by the Fisheries Act can now be redefined as 'tailings impoundment areas' by Schedule 2 in the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations of the Act. An estimated 85,000 rainbow trout will have their habitat destroyed if Taskeo's project goes ahead and one of the most pristine watersheds in the country, as well as the Fraser River, will be impacted by toxic leeching. The Tsilhqot'in Nation have clearly and collectively said 'No' to a project which would jeopardize a sacred site of great cultural and historic significance. The Tsilhqot'in communities have not given consent to the Prosperity Mine project that would be in an area of proven aboriginal rights as determined in the Supreme Court of B.C. Secwepmec communities have also expressed opposition to the development of a power line needed to develop the mine through their territories. The Canadian government continues to refuse signing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. While Taseko has clearly ignore traditional indigenous economies while trumpeting the economic benefits of this mine, they have also ignored the associated public costs. Dr. Marvin Shaffer has estimated that the provincial government would be subsidizing the project with $20 million per year for the life of the project. Tax revenues from the mine are unlikely to be more than $7.5 million. The Tsilhqot'in communities, the public, future generations and the environment stand to lose much more. *Please act today! Lakes not Toxic Dump Sites! Solidarity with the Tsilhqot'in!* E-mail and call cabinet ministers now: - Stephen Harper (Prime Minister) - [email protected]; (613) 992-4211begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 992-4211 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (403) 253-7990 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (403) 253-7990 end_of_the_skype_highlighting - Jim Prentice (Minister of the Environment) - [email protected]; (613) 947-9475 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 947-9475 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (403) 230-4368begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (403) 230-4368 end_of_the_skype_highlighting - Gail Shea (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) - [email protected]; (613) 992-9223 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 992-9223 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (902) 432-6899begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (902) 432-6899 end_of_the_skype_highlighting - John Duncan (Minister of Indian Affairs) - [email protected]; (613) 992-2503 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 992-2503 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (250) 338-9381begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (250) 338-9381 end_of_the_skype_highlighting - Tony Clement (Minister of Industry) - [email protected]; (613) 992-5092begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 992-5092 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (705) 746-9053 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (705) 746-9053 end_of_the_skype_highlighting - Christian Paradis (Minister of Natural Resources) - [email protected]; (613) 995-1377 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 995-1377 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (418) 338-2903begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (418) 338-2903 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Web-links: Read more the campaign against Schedule 2 changes to the Fisheries Act, www.canadians.org/TIA Read Dr. Marvin Shaffer's submission to the federal review panel, www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents/41844/41844E.pdf Read the Council of Canadians submission to the federal review panel, www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/41940/41940E.PDF (starting at page 280), or listen www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=41852 (at the 1 hour, 18 minute mark). Watch the documentary Blue Gold: The Fight for Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), www.raventrust.com/projects/fishlaketeztanbiny/video-bluegold.html Contact information for all cabinet ministers can be found *here*<https://76.66.235.74/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainCabinetCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current> . For more information please e-mail [email protected] or call 1-800-387-7177 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-387-7177 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. -- Sandwichman
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