MiningWatch launches private prosecution against B.C. government and mining company - Globalnews.ca

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. – An advocacy group has launched a private prosecution under the Fisheries Act against the B.C. government and a mining company over the disastrous consequences of the collapse of the Mount Polley tailings dam.The legal action by MiningWatch Canada says the dam released a torrent of mine waste in 2014 in B.C.’s Cariboo region, creating a new valley and permanently altering or destroying fish habitat, affecting 20 different fish species.MiningWatch says in a summary of the lawsuit that it is taking action now because the Crown hasn’t laid charges under the Fisheries Act.“(MiningWatch) fears this inaction on the part of Crown sends the wrong signal to the industry across the country and undermines public confidence in the capacity of our regulatory system to work in an effective and speedy matter to protect the environment,” the document says.WATCH: Why the B.C. government didn’t lay charges in the Mount Polley mining disaster