Environment not refugees

Dear Editor: With regret, I recently learned that our prime minister very evidently is not concerned about the future of climate change and its impact on natural resources and quality of life for all Canadians.

The government of Canada, under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, has managed to find a meagre $1.6 million to further the work of Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) in the far north. Without this contribution of taxpayer dollars, the laboratory would not be able to continue vital research and consequently, would be forced to shut down. The timeline for continued research is one year with the funds received to date.

Compare this $1.6 million to the $10 million handout given to certain Canadians who have been caught in a web of political misfortune. I feel gravely disappointed, Mr. Trudeau, by the inept decision-making of the Liberal party on these two specific issues: paying out Omar Khadr (as well as others) versus funding PEARL. Seriously? In my view, it is within the government’s jurisdiction to provide financial clout for research into climate change. The problem is not going to go away for Canadians, nor for any global citizen. There’s work to be done and, as a Canadian, I would like to see our scientific efforts contribute to a positive outcome.

Many years ago, at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, Pierre Elliott Trudeau spoke of a “just society.” The crowd roared even louder when the charismatic Trudeau broke into melodious French, reiterating promises “for all Canadians.” Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau might not have won every voter’s approval, and the issues of the day were different, but at least he had a vision for Canada on the world stage. Laurie Richards Okanagan Falls