Dick Harris speaks on 'New Prosperity'

Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris spoke on the need for the Federal Cabinet to give its' approval for the 'New Prosperity' project as proposed by Taseko Mines in the House of Commons today during Members' Statements:

Mr. Speaker,

The Cariboo-Chilcotin area of BC has been economically devastated by the mountain pine beetle plague.

Jobs in the forest and related industry have been lost, and the economy has suffered a huge blow in Williams Lake and 100 Mile house.

Sawmills have cut back their operations, businesses have closed, and people have left their homeland because there are no jobs.

Mr. Speaker, we now are presented with a once in a generation opportunity to restore a vibrant economy to this area.

We must not miss this opportunity to allow the New Prosperity Gold Mine to move to the Provincial permitting stage.

I, and my colleague from Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, and 85% of the people of the Cariboo/Chilcotin call on this government to allow this project to move forward.

The government can do that by attaching a list of conditions that will satisfy the mitigation of environmental impacts.

Mr. Speaker we cannot, we must not miss this opportunity.