Residents near anti-uranium protest threaten to withhold taxes
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 | 5:50 PM ET
CBC News
At least three residents near a disputed potential uranium mining site in eastern Ontario say they will withhold their property taxes unless their township council takes a stand in the conflict between Algonquin protesters and a mineral exploration company.
John Kittle, who has lived in North Frontenac Township, about 60 kilometres north of Kingston, Ont., for the past 18 months, said he approached the township council and asked what they plan to do, now that a judge has ordered police to remove First Nations protesters from the site.
"They told me that they want to take a balanced view. They want to listen to all sides. I guess that's fair enough," he said, "but I asked them when that decision was coming and I was told that it would be a long time coming."
By withholding their taxes, he and two other residents are hoping to pressure the council into taking action that might help to end the uncertainty over whether mining will be allowed at the property near Sharbot Lake.
Residents have three years to pay their taxes before the township can seize their property.
Protesters from the Shabot Obaadjiwan and Ardoch Algonquin First Nations have blocked the entrance to the site near Sharbot Lake since the end of June, over concerns that uranium mining would damage their ancestral lands.
Frontenac Ventures, a mining evaluation company, wants to test drill for uranium there, and took court action against the protesters.
A judge granted an injunction authorizing police to remove the protesters, which was served on Friday.
Some non-native local residents support uranium mining development in the area because of the economic benefits it will bring. Others are concerned the environmental impact will lower their property values.
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