This page documents identifiable Council actions and recorded votes concerning Sio Silica. Its purpose is to provide the historical record and source trail.
Official municipal records are treated as the primary source. Heather's Notes are identified separately as a contemporaneous account and are not presented as official municipal minutes.
The individual actions recorded below should be read in their specific procedural and historical context. They do not, by themselves, establish a person's broader position, motivation or relationship with Sio Silica.
The official minutes record a motion to alter Zoning By-law 08-01 as amended by the Municipal Board under Board Order B-23-001.
The motion was moved by Melinda Warren and seconded by Glen Fuhl.
Contemporaneous reporting records the Council vote as three in favour and two opposed.
Later in the same meeting, Council considered a motion to enter into the Development Agreement with Sio Silica Corporation as ordered by the Municipal Board.
The motion was moved by Glen Fuhl and seconded by Melinda Warren.
Contemporaneous reporting identifies Melinda Warren as the councillor who abstained.
The official municipal record is the primary source. Heather's Notes are provided as a separate contemporaneous account for additional historical context.
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Councillor Glen Fuhl appeared before the Clean Environment Commission. He stated that he had not accepted or been offered money from Sio Silica and said he cared about his community having safe drinking water. The transcript identifies Mayor Patrick Therrien as the next presenter.
Official source: CEC transcript — March 13, 2023
Mayor Patrick Therrien delivered closing remarks on behalf of the RM of Springfield. The RM stated that concerns about Sio Silica's mining process must be completely addressed and that it would not consider supporting an unproven operation with potential effects on the environment and groundwater.
Official source: RM of Springfield closing remarks — March 15, 2023
The Carillon reported that a proposed council-supported referendum concerning Sio Silica did not receive support from Councillor Melinda Warren, Councillor Glen Fuhl or Mayor Patrick Therrien. A privately organized referendum followed.
Source: The Carillon — August 21, 2023
The Carillon reported on Council debate over whether a Sio-related discussion should proceed in camera or publicly. Mayor Patrick Therrien supported having an RM lawyer review the matter first, Glen Fuhl agreed, and Melinda Warren said that if the discussion was not in camera it could be removed from the agenda. Council ultimately deferred the matter.
Source: The Carillon — January 25, 2024