WATCH: Shawnigan Lake residents are still celebrating after a BC Supreme Court decision that has suspended the dumping of contaminated soil in their community. Monica Martinez has the latest.
Trucks arrived and departed from the contaminated soil dump site near Shawnigan Lake.
South Island Resource Management, which operates the site, said it is part of a project where non-contaminated material is weighed during transport and transferred to another site.
The company said they are complying with Monday’s ruling from the B.C. Supreme Court which states they can no longer use the site as a landfill.
“It was a tremendous relief for me, tremendous relief for all of us on the south island who have been following the issue,” said B.C. NPD Leader John Horgan.
It’s a big win for the people of Shawnigan Lake who are celebrating the protection of their drinking water on World Water Day.
“What a spectacular day to celebrate here on southern Vancouver Island, the power of community, people versus the permit, and the people won,” Horgan said.
And Tuesday, residents took their victory to the Environment Minister’s Langley constituency office, calling on the provincial and federal governments to take stronger action in protecting drinking water.
Mary Polak’s office was closed and the province did not respond to their demonstration.
And while the community has won one court case, there is still another before the B.C. Supreme Court.
Last year, the environmental appeal board upheld the land owner’s permit allowing the site to receive contaminated soil.
That decision is under judicial review.
B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver said the province made a mistake.
“The province should not have ever gotten to this situation. It made reckless promises and a reckless attempt yet again to get to yes without thinking of the consequences of getting to yes,” he said.
Residents are still celebrating but with another major judgement looming, the final outcome is far from settled.
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