If you’re thinking it’s déjà vu all over again, you’re right! This hearing is Taseko grabbing the fourth rung of the federal process ladder, after three rejections: first by the Joint Review Panel, then the federal Cabinet, and most recently by a federal court judge.
The good news is, soon there may be nowhere for Taseko to go except down. This is why this Federal Court of Appeals hearing is so important: if the judge rejects Taseko’s appeal, it's over. There’s no further legal remedy. There is no automatic right to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada — the Supreme Court would have to give Taseko leave to appeal. Needless to say, that leave to appeal is given very sparingly, and then only for issues that are precedent setting and in the national interest.
The amazing RAVEN family have stood with the Tsilhqot’in from the beginning, nearly 10 years ago. We've held together through more appeals, injunctions, court cases and hearings than we care to count. But: it's been worth it, because Teztan Biny remains unscathed.
This week, we have seen how ruthless the power behind industry can be. We've also seen the strength of tens of thousands of people who have made it clear there is no way we're going to stand by and watch Indigenous rights be trampled.
This Monday, let's hold the line and stand with the Tsilhqot'in. Hope to see you at the courthouse at 8:45: pass it on!
Susan Smitten, Executive Director
RAVEN
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