Chief Joe Alphonse of the Tsilhqot'in First Nation emphasizes that the Chilcotin and Kleena Kleene rivers have been vital for chinook salmon for millennia, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.


June 29, 2024 Tags:

A British Columbia cattle company and its contractor face significant fines totaling $545,000 for damaging habitat along the Chilcotin and Kleena Kleene rivers, announced Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

The penalties come after a six-year investigation and three legal battles revealed that Altherr & Schellenberg Cattle Co. of Williams Lake, B.C., in collaboration with Bayliff Enterprises, altered the landscape to expand their farming operations without proper approvals.

Chief Joe Alphonse of the Tsilhqot'in First Nation emphasized the importance of respecting natural habitats. He stated, "If you want to coexist, you must respect your surroundings and the habitats."

Operating on private ranch lands near Redstone and Kleena Kleene, each about 430 kilometers northwest of Kelowna, the cattle company undertook activities from 2017 to 2020 that included removing river habitat, filling water channels, diverting streams, and blocking fish passages.

DFO clarified that these actions were undertaken without necessary provincial approvals or compliance with the Fisheries Act, which mandates protecting fish and their habitats during any land use.

The company's activities first drew attention in 2020 when a complaint arose concerning a newly constructed fence on one of their properties. Subsequent investigations revealed widespread environmental disturbance, including tree clearance along rivers on both private and Crown lands.

Chief Alphonse highlighted the devastating impact of these actions on Tsilhqot'in land, stressing the critical role of rivers and spawning pools for chinook salmon and the interconnected wildlife, such as orcas and bears, that rely on them.

Salmon have been vital to the livelihoods of coastal First Nations for millennia, making the protection of these habitats paramount.

In separate legal proceedings in 2022 and 2023, Altherr & Schellenberg Cattle Co. pleaded guilty to Fisheries Act violations and received fines totaling $455,000.

Bayliff Enterprises, engaged by the cattle company for land clearing, also pled guilty last month to violating both the Fisheries Act and B.C.'s Forest and Range Practices Act, resulting in a $90,000 fine.

Chief Alphonse described these fines as a landmark step toward safeguarding salmon within Tsilhqot'in territory, underscoring the need for greater environmental accountability.

"It's been a free-for-all up here for many years," he remarked. "I hope this serves as a wake-up call for everyone."

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Markets Brace for Turbulence and Recession Fears as Liberation Day Approaches

Investors are on edge as Liberation Day, set for April 2, nears. As the year's first quarter ends on a....

Tencent Invests €1.2B in Ubisoft Spin-Off to Expand Gaming Empire

Chinese tech giant Tencent has made a €1.2 billion ($1.25 billion) investment in a newly formed Ubisoft subsidiary, securing a....

Trump’s Auto Tariffs Hit Canada Hard: A Trade War Unfolds

The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on finished vehicles imported into the country, marking one of the most severe....

Quebec Budget 2025 -2026 Fights Trump Tariffs But Sinks Deeper Into Debt

Quebec's finance minister, Eric Girard, has unveiled a historic $165.8-billion budget, aiming to strengthen the province’s economy in response to....

Samsung TV Pioneer Han Jong-Hee Passed Away at 63

Samsung Electronics has lost one of its key leaders. Han Jong-Hee, the co-CEO who played a major role in shaping....

Trump Plans New Tariffs for Vehicles & Pharmaceuticals, Near Future

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on vehicles and pharmaceuticals, further expanding his aggressive trade policies.....

Key Business Events to Watch in Canada This Week

This week brings several major developments in the Canadian business world. From political campaigns to economic reports, here are the....

Hudson’s Bay Begins Liquidation, But Six Stores Are Spared

Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s oldest company, has received court approval to start liquidating most of its stores. The Ontario Superior Court....

U.S. Tariffs Could be an Uphill Battle for Canada’s Greenhouse Industry

A fresh wave of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports has sent shockwaves through Canada’s greenhouse sector, which heavily depends on....

Google’s $32B Wiz Deal: A Game-Changer for Cloud Security

Google has announced its biggest-ever acquisition, agreeing to buy cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in cash. This massive deal....

PepsiCo To Acquire Poppi to Expand in Healthy Soda Market

PepsiCo announced on Monday that it will acquire the prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion. The move comes as....

Hudson’s Bay May Start Its Stores Liquidation As Early As Tuesday

Toronto – Hudson’s Bay, the retail giant, is battling for survival as it seeks court approval to begin liquidating its....