The Prosperity Mine and the Riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin

The two largest towns in the riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin are Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. The riding is somewhat socially conservative and was a long-time Social Credit stronghold. In the 2005 election the NDP narrowly took the riding from the Liberals and in 2009 the Liberals narrowly took the riding from the NDP. The close results probably harkens to the sale of BC Rail in 2003, which mainline runs through the riding.

A major controversy in the riding is the proposed Prosperity Mine, which would cause the decimation of Fish Lake and is opposed by the First Nations in the area.

That said, considerable local support exists for the Prosperity Mine as follows:

1. Cariboo Regional District;
2. Williams Lake council;
3. Quesnel council;
4. 100 Mile House council;
5. Wells council;

http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/17204/1/cariboo+regional+district+supports+prosperity+mine

A recent public opinion poll from the riding also confirms that the Prosperity Mine has considerable public support:

70% of decided voters want the federal cabinet to approve the mine;
30% of decided voters do not want the federal cabinet to approve the mine;

Even a majority of New Democrat voters from the 2008 federal election - 62% - want the mine approved.

http://issuu.com/wlteditor/docs/prosperity_mine_survey_results?viewMode=magazine

With 100% support from the regional district as well as all of the towns in the region in addition to the strong 70% approval from local residents the Prosperity Mine has considerable support.

And local politics now come into play. Apparently the local Liberal MLA, Donna Barnett, is targeted for recall by the Fight HST campaign. Barnett is on the record as supporting the Prosperity Mine. New Democrats are opposed. As a result, will a recall campaign become successful and if so, will local residents vote for New Democrat Charlie Wyse (former MLA) who opposes the mine?