SRRAC Criticizes Ministry’s Virtual Meeting Format, Demands In-Person Public Meeting on Record Ridge Mine Proposal
By Contributor
The Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC) is calling on the Ministry of Mines and Critical Minerals to uphold its commitment to host a community meeting for residents near the proposed Record Ridge Mine.
SRRAC argues that the planned virtual information session, scheduled for Tuesday, February 25 at 5:00 pm, is insufficient and fails to meet the community’s expectations for meaningful engagement and transparency.
The Zoom link provided is: https://zoom.us/j/99170309579
The Ministry has scheduled an online information session to purportedly fulfill its commitment to the community. SRRAC contends that this format excludes many residents, particularly those in Paterson and Big Sheep Creek—areas closest to the proposed mine—who lack reliable internet access. Additionally, others without the necessary technological knowledge or internet access will be similarly affected. The 5:00 pm meeting time further limits participation for working residents and families. As a result, the format and timing of the meeting create significant barriers to participation for much of the community.
Additional concerns include the insufficient length of the meeting. One hour is clearly inadequate to address the hundreds of concerns raised by the community about the project. Moreover, the lack of a formal agenda raises doubts about whether key issues will even be addressed. While the Ministry is organizing the meeting, the primary point of contact is a representative from WHY Resources, the company proposing the mine, which raises questions about the impartiality of the process.
“This is not a meaningful community meeting,” said SRRAC spokesperson Elissa Ferguson. “A community meeting should be an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns, ask questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the issues at hand. Instead, our community is being offered a short, online session that excludes many people and lacks transparency.”
Since WHY Resources visited Rossland in May 2023, the project has undergone two rounds of changes. However, no responses were provided to residents following their submissions of public comments during the online public engagement period in May 2024. Moreover, there was no notification or requirement for community engagement after substantial amendments were made to the project in September 2024.
SRRAC, along with many members of the public, has requested an in-person community meeting to ensure meaningful participation and accountability. As of Monday, February 24, SRRAC has yet to receive a response from the Ministry. In the meantime, the group is preparing a list of key questions and concerns that will be submitted ahead of the virtual meeting and made available through the Save Record Ridge website: www.saverecordridge.ca.
Residents are encouraged to demand a proper community forum by emailing the following Ministry contacts: MMD-Cranbrook@gov.bc.ca, nini.long@gov.bc.ca, and lowell.constable@gov.bc.ca. Community members planning to attend the virtual meeting can also submit questions in advance to MMD-Cranbrook@gov.bc.ca.
“This project has serious implications for our environment, health, and community,” Ferguson emphasized. “People deserve the chance to participate in a fair and accessible community meeting to voice their concerns—not be sidelined by a non-inclusive online session.”
