'Right on the edge of being extinct': Environmentalists, First Nation aim to stop B.C. ski resort in owl habitat
The Cheam First Nation and the Wilderness Committee are calling on the province to enforce protections for an endangered owl as a ski resort is proposed near Chilliwack.
According to the Wilderness Committee, the construction of the proposed Bridal Veil Mountain Resort would cut through the middle of a wildlife habitat area and harm the spotted owl population.
“This species is right on the edge of being extinct in Canada,” said Joe Foy, the protected area campaigner for the wilderness committee.
“We have this massive ski resort being proposed right smack dab in the middle of one of the most important habitat areas we’ve got.”
In a joint statement, the Cheam First Nation said it called for the establishment of the WHA in the region over a decade ago and is opposed to the ski resort project.
"Our nation’s long-running efforts in the early 2000s resulted in the establishment of this WHA to protect the spotted owl," said Cheam First Nation member Ernie Victor, in the statement.
"We’re opposed to the Bridal Veil Mountain Ski Resort destroying what we achieved."
CTV News contacted Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen’s office Thursday morning to ask whether the environmental impacts are being considered, but did not hear back before deadline.
The Cheam First Nation is proposing the Cascade Skyline Gondola project, which it says would be more environmentally friendly.
“We have clearly communicated with the B.C. government that the Cascade Skyline Gondola proposal is a sustainable option for these lands, and we expect them to do the right thing and support moving this project forward,” Victor said.
According to Robert Wilson, the president of Bridal Veil Mountain Resort, the project would be jointly developed, owned, and operated in partnership with the local First Nations.
“Among our highest priorities are First Nations land stewardship values and meeting or exceeding the highest environmental standards,” said Wilson, in a statement.
“We are aware of the spotted owl issue and are working closely with Stó:lō communities to fully investigate the potential impacts on all environmental values in the study area.”
Wilson went on to say his organization is also in the process of updating its environmental assessment of the study area in partnership with Stó:lō communities.
The resort expects to contribute more than $252 million in direct revenues to the economy and employ 2,230 people at its year round resort.
The Wilderness Committee and Cheam First Nation are calling on the B.C. government to declare that the Bridal Veil Mountain Resort will never be allowed to go ahead in the spotted owl Wildlife Habitat Area.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal government to further limit number of international students
The federal government will be further limiting the number of international students permitted to enter Canada next year. It's the government's latest immigration-related measure to address Canadians' ongoing housing and affordability concerns.
Search for suspect in Kentucky highway shooting ends with discovery of body believed to be his
Authorities say they believe the body of a man suspected of shooting and wounding five people on a Kentucky interstate highway has been found.
Here's why you should get all your vaccines as soon as possible
With all these shots, some Canadians may have questions about the benefit of each vaccine, whether they should get every shot and how often to get them, and if it's safe to get them all at once or if they should space them out.
Bloc MPs will vote confidence in Liberal government next week: Blanchet
The Conservatives' first shot at toppling the Liberal government is likely doomed to fail, after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters his MPs will vote confidence in the government.
'I'm here for the Porsche': Video shows brazen car theft in Mississauga
Video of a brazen daylight auto theft which shows a suspect running over a victim in a stolen luxury SUV has been released by police west of Toronto.
Exploding electronic devices kill 20, wound 450 in second day of explosions in Lebanon
Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed and 450 others wounded by exploding electronic devices in multiple regions of the country. The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000.
'It starts off innocent': Manitoba man loses $185,000 to crypto-romance scam
A Manitoba man is warning others after he fell victim to an elaborate online scam over the summer.
Teen faces new charge in Sask. high school arson attack
A 14-year-old student who allegedly set her classmate on fire is facing a new charge.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.