VANCOUVER, BC - Opponents of a controversial proposed new coal mine on Vancouver Island brought their message to the Annual General Meeting of Vancouver-based Compliance Energy.

The information picket, organized by the Wilderness Committee and concerned local residents from the Comox Valley and Denman Island, took place Wednesday, June 22, at the Corner of Pender and Howe in Vancouver.
"In the public consultation process, British Columbians have spoken loud and clear against this coal mine -- the company's AGM is a chance to make sure shareholders are aware of the breadth and size of the opposition to Raven Coal," said Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast campaigner for the Wilderness Committee.

In addition to the local opposition, British Columbians concerned about climate change are speaking out against the proposed mine.

"Compliance Energy's shareholders should know that this mine would have a disastrous impact, resulting in 80 million tonnes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere," said Ben West, Climate Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee.

"To put that in perspective, every person in Victoria and Nanaimo would need to drive hummers all the way around the world at the same time to release the same amount of carbon dioxide as this one stupid coal mine," said West. "That's why we have to stop this coal mine and phase out coal mining in BC."

Located just south of Courtenay in Fanny Bay, the Raven Coal Mine would have a devastating impact on many of the things people love about the West Coast. Heavy metal contaminants in drinking water and salmon streams, increased traffic, threats to shellfish jobs - these are just a few of the big problems associated with this project.

Already over 1500 people packed public meetings hosted by the government in Courtenay, Port Alberni and Union Bay to show their opposition to this project. Out of the 220 speakers at those meetings, only one lone person spoke in favour of the mine.