FILE PHOTO
(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)
July 17, 2017 - 11:47 AM
KAMLOOPS – After years of debate, several town halls and question periods, Kamloops city council officially voted 4-2 against the proposed Ajax mine today.
Extra chairs were brought in to accommodate dozens of residents in attendance at the special council meeting today, July 17.
While council doesn't hold any legal power over the future of the proposed mine, its stance will be taken into consideration by the federal and provincial government on the final call on the project.
That decision by the federal and provincial government will come mid-November, Jen Fretz public works and utilities director says.
City staff recommended council pen a letter outlining its stance along with a list of conditions, to the provincial and federal government by Friday, July 21.
Coun. Dieter Dudy was formally in opposition but also wanted a list of conditions put forward in case the federal and provincial government chooses to approve the mine.
"The federal and provincial government may not see it our way and decide to approve the mine," Dudy says. "They do not live in our community, they do not understand what our concerns are."
Other councillors wanted to vote no, without putting forward a list of conditions.
"Our position should be absolute and unconditional," Coun. Walsh says. "I'm not a gambler especially when it comes to quality of life or health."
At the beginning of the council meeting, city staff announced the approval of a $3.8 million yearly benefits agreement in principle that was negotiated between the City of Kamloops and KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.
The agreement would start if the project is approved and will continue through the life of the mine.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017