Leaders of the Tsilhqot'in Nation are in Victoria seeking an injunction from BC Supreme Court aimed at stopping Taseko Mines Ltd. from proceeding with drilling for their New Prosperity Mine.
Tsilhqot'in Chief Joe Alphonse, along with other leaders and elders, came to attend the start of hearings trying to quash permits issued by the out-going Liberal government just 4 days before they moved to the backbenches.
Taseko has been trying to get approval for its mine, which includes Fish Lake, a body of water of special spiritual significance to area First Nations. Fish Lake also contains an estimated 85-thousand rainbow trout, and is pegged to become the mine's toxic tailings dump.
Alphonse says First Nations leaders and people are angry, and hope the BC NDP will act to make things right.
He also had a chance to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the situation:
"It's a chance and opportunity for him to become a role model to the rest of the countries and demonstrate what that relationship should be to ensure the Taseko's of the world do not continue, and be allowed to do the things that they're doing to my nation."
New Prosperity has been rejected twice by the federal government on environmental and cultural grounds.
The court hearing is in addition to a Cease and Desist notice sent by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to Taseko's CEO John McManus.
The Tsilhqot'in Nation notes Taseko is a major donor to the BC Liberal party, giving over $123,000 between 2008 and 2014.
The court hearing is in addition to a Cease and Desist notice sent by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to Taseko's CEO John McManus.