Four and a half years ago, on Aug. 4, 2014, the Mount Polley gold and copper mine tailings pond failed, emptying into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek, Quesnel Lake and Cariboo River. A toxic cocktail of selenium, arsenic and other metals contaminated some of the most pristine waters in the world. One would think something of this magnitude would shake citizens of the B.C. Interior to the core and prompt government bodies to take immediate action to ensure this situation is remediated and that the company responsible be held accountable.
That has not happened. To date, no fines have been levied and no charges laid. The statute of limitations for legal action expires this August of this year. If no action is taken, the entities responsible will not be held accountable and the risk of this type of disaster occurring elsewhere will continue because Mount Polley was considered the gold standard for environmental safety.
I urge everyone to email or phone your government representatives to demand action be taken prior to August. We all need to do whatever we can to respect and protect our water.
Deb Alore,
Kamloops
