Editor:
Government ministers, MPs, local residents, First Nations and environmentalists have all run to Ottawa to plead their case on the New Prosperity mine project.
The results of the government panel obviously don’t sit well with those supporting the project or those opposed wanting to make sure the federal government applies the panel’s findings to the final decision.
Those writing letters and lobbying on both sides believe they are right and government should pay them heed, which government will. But in this case, unless there’s a workable solution presented, the result will have a winner and a loser.
For the Cariboo that’s not the best solution to resolve this long standing issue.
In the past we have learned if you ask government or allow them to make the end decision, you’re not going to be happy with the result.
Hence just saying no on either side of the issue is not the practical solution and undermines any opportunities to achieve a more beneficial agreement that represents your interests and concerns.
It’s a win-win for everyone when all governments agree and negotiate our own arrangement because it’s a solution that comes from a broad sector of the people and region.
Time is short but it’s not too late to embrace a negotiated proposal, although never perfect it can and has worked for everyone’s benefit in the past.
Terry Tate
Williams Lake
