Search: 02/2012

News release: (Tŝilhqot’in Territory) After a series of recent community meetings, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has reinforced its determination to protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the surrounding area from the threat of Taseko Mines Ltd.’s proposed “new” Prosperity Mine. The Tŝilhqot’in communities strongly opposed Taseko’s 2011 exploration program and obtained an injunction from the BC Supreme Court preventing the company from conducting that work, pending a challenge to the approvals.

News release: (Montréal) "The survey by Léger Marketing on the mining industry confirms the relevance and importance of our work over the last four years,” said Ugo Lapointe of the Coalition Québec meilleure mine (Better Mining Coalition). According to the survey, a majority of residents of Québec including the Abitibi region (the most active mining area of Québec) agree that there is a need for further reforms to improve royalties, environmental protection and respect of citizens’ rights.

In February 2012 during the CERD's 80th session the Committee reviewed Canada's 19th and 20th reports. Prior to the review interested parties submitted comments to CERD on Canada's progress, or lack there of, in implementing the Convention and responding to the Committee's earlier recommendations. A total of 28 submissions were made including one from MiningWatch Canada on mining and Indigenous rights in Canada, and a joint statement by 22 organizations, including MiningWatch, on the issue of corporate accountability of Canadian mining companies operating outside of Canada.

News release: Leading public health physicians, environmental lawyers and academics warned today against haphazard federal attempts to undermine environmental reviews, cautioning that any government effort to cut corners will put public health and safety at risk.