February 26, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Office of the Minister of the Environment
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, today issued a decision statement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 for the proposed New Prosperity Gold Copper Mine project in British Columbia.
The Minister of the Environment has concluded that the New Prosperity Mine project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated. The Governor in Council has determined that those effects are not justified in the circumstances; therefore, the project may not proceed.
In making its decision, the federal government considered the report of the independent Review Panel which conducted a rigorous review of the New Prosperity Mine project, and agreed with its conclusions about the environmental impacts of the project.
"The Government of Canada will make decisions based on the best available scientific evidence while balancing economic and environmental considerations," said Minister Aglukkaq. The Minister added, "The Government will continue to make responsible resource development a priority and invites the submission of another proposal that addresses the Government's concerns."
Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Telephone: 819-997-1441
Jennifer.Kennedy@ec.gc.ca
Lucille Jamault
Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: 613-957-0434
lucille.jamault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
