British Columbians head to the polls on May 9th. See what local candidates had to say about some of the major issues.
We asked: Ajax, the proposed copper and gold mine south of Aberdeen, has become a polarizing issue among residents of Kamloops. What is your stance on Ajax and how will you weigh the ecological and economic interests of the region?
B.C. NDP
Barb Nederpel | Kamloops-North Thompson
The Liberals’ review process is broken, and we believe they will rubber stamp the project if re-elected. They've divided the community on this issue and we need to do better. We'll strengthen the review process to consider the scientific evidence, the legal rights of First Nations, and the views of people in Kamloops.
Nancy Bepple | Kamloops-South Thompson
The Kamloops community deserves a rigorous, trustworthy assessment of the proposed Ajax mine from environmental, economic and social perspectives. The B.C. Auditor General and many in our community have lost faith with the ability of the B.C. Liberals to fulfill this community need.
The B.C. NDP has committed to a made-in-B.C. assessment that not only takes into account community attitudes, but also recognizes and accommodates the legal rights of First Nations in our region. Additionally, the B.C. NDP is committed to restoring the monitoring, inspection and enforcement staff of the Ministry of the Environment, subject to severe cuts under B.C. Liberal management.
B.C. Liberals
Peter Milobar | Kamloops-North Thompson
My opinion on this project has not changed in the past seven-and-a-half years. I believe the environmental assessment process should be allowed to play out. If the project can prove that they can (have) a very minimal ecological impact that's one thing, and if they don't we have to take that under advisement as well.
Todd Stone | Kamloops-South Thompson
Awaiting response.
B.C. Greens
Dan Hines | Kamloops-North Thompson
As Greens, we oppose the Ajax mine project. We stand in solidarity with our First Nations process and decision (SSN) who do not give their consent to this project. We believe that the mine is a high risk to the community in both economic and environmental impacts.
Donovan Cavers | Kamloops-South Thompson
I support Kamloops and I support sensible resource development including mining in B.C. but there are far too many risks and potential negative impacts to our community. We respect the process and decision made by local indigenous communities in opposition to the Ajax proposal.
My party and I support:
B.C. Communist Party
Peter Kerek | Kamloops-North Thompson
The benefits of Ajax have been grossly exaggerated but, this type of deception is normal for mining companies and they are well known for these types of misleading public relations campaigns all around the world. Kamloops is no exception.
The risks outweigh any potential benefits and there are many negative economic and cultural impacts mines have on communities but, that's a message that's hard for activists to get published in a town where most media outlets sell advertising to businesses that also generally support Ajax.
Once media start falling out of line with the demands of the local business community, advertising revenue plummets. No media owner wants that so, they tend to suppress stories that might offend their advertisers.
Beat Klossner | Kamloops-South Thompson
The Communist Party of B.C. is the only party absolutely opposed to the Ajax mine. The B.C. Liberals are in favor, the B.C. NDP has no position and, even though the Green candidates have spoken out in opposition to the project, the Green Party has no position on this.
We go further, though. We call for all resources industries to be taken into public hands. We will change the ownership structure and create crown corporations to take over these industries. This way it will be under our control and on our terms.
Profits from our resources industries are leaving the province and end up in the pockets of shareholders and speculators. This incredible wealth has to stay in public hands, in our province and has to be used for the benefit of the public.
B.C. Libertarian Party
Jessica Bradshaw | Kamloops-South Thompson
Awaiting response.
