24 March 2017, 5:24pm EDT

Media Advisory – Will Federal Prosecutors Lay Charges for Biggest Mining Spill in Canada?

Imperial Metals British Columbia Water and fisheries

25,000 Canadians Urge Trudeau Government to Act

(Williams Lake, B.C.) MiningWatch Canada will be back in British Columbia court this Monday, March 27, starting at 2pm, as part of its legal proceedings over the Mount Polley mine disaster. The mining watchdog is concerned that nearly three years after the disaster, and despite clear evidence of damage to water and fish habitat, no sanctions have been brought by any level of government. MiningWatch, with the support of local and regional groups, as well as First Nations, will announce a petition already endorsed by nearly 25,000 Canadians urging the Trudeau government to enforce the Fisheries Act for the biggest mining spill in Canada's history.

When: Monday, March 27 2017: 1:30pm (group & petition photo session), 2:00pm court hearing

Where: Provincial Court House, Williams Lake (photo session at Alley Katz Bistro, if raining)

What: Legal action over Mount Polley mine disaster (violations of the federal Fisheries Act)

Who: MiningWatch Canada, local & regional groups, First Nations representatives

This court appearance will be the first since the Federal Crown attempted to stay (i.e. shelve) MiningWatch's private charges in January 2017. The Court will be asked to rule if MiningWatch can present evidence to Court about the 2014 massive tailings spill before Crown intervenes.

MiningWatch's legal action is supported by the following organizations: West Coast Environmental Law-Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (main funder), Amnesty International Canada, Sierra Club BC, Wilderness Committee, First Nations Women Advocating for Responsible Mining, Council of Canadians, Fair Mining Collaborative, Rivers Without Borders, British Columbia Environmental Network, SumOfUs, Concerned Citizens of Quesnel Lake, Quesnel River Watershed Alliance, Clayoquot Action, Forest Protection Allies, Kamloops Area Preservation Association, Kamloops Physicians for the Environment Society, and Alaska Clean Water Advocacy.

Website: www.mountpolleyontrial.ca

For further information: Ugo Lapointe, Canada Program Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada, cell (514) 708-0134