The Wilderness Committee is back in court today as Taseko Mines Limited appeals a BC Supreme Court decision that rejected its libel suit against the organization last year.
Joe Foy is the National Campaign Director for the Committee.
“It’s not surprising. I mean Taseko has a fair bit of resources-money as it were and we’re hopeful that this is the end of a 5 year kind of tough process for us. We’ve been dragged through the courts, we won last year and now this the appeal.”
Taseko’s claim which challenged communications published on the Committee’s website about the risks of the proposed New Prosperity gold-copper mine in 2012, was dismissed in January 2016.
Lawyer Dan Burnett who successfully defended the Wilderness Committee against Taseko’s action will represent the organization again.
“The claim was patently non-meritorious from the start” states the written argument filed by Burnett. “The right of fair comment is one of the essential elements that make up our freedom of speech.”
The court proceedings will be webcast live by the BC Court of Appeal.
(With files from Wilderness Committee)