No one should have right to pollute

To the editor,

I must preface this rant with the recognition and apology that I have become more cynical of government and big business with each passing year. That being said, many things about the Northern Pulp situation seem strange. And, it is upsetting that it is forcing good neighbours to choose sides.

Many municipalities make regulations to keep folks from impacting the wellbeing of their neighbours. I am not sure I agree with them all but they do set a standard. Chicken coops are banned in some places because the roosters, crowing in the morning, could be a bother. Wood fires are banned because they may impact air quality. Friends of ours were sued and lost because a structure they built in their back yard reportedly changed the “natural” flow of the water on their neighbour’s property. Most everywhere there are regulations restricting late night noise as it may keep folks awake. This list could go on and on. It seems that, if you are an ordinary, responsible citizen, you are actually supposed to respect your neighbours.

Now, good jobs are important, there is no question. However, is one job more important than another? Is it right that one be sacrificed to save another? What about two for one? Who chooses the priority?

I was somewhat put off by the tone of recent news claiming that the California fire situation had become more serious because the opulent homes of the rich were now coming into jeopardy.

Why are the homes of the wealthy (a citizen who is probably well insured and likely could afford a rebuild) more important than the homes of ordinary working folk? Because you are a wealthy corporation, does that give you the right to impact the quality of life of your neighbours? Does the need for jobs give the government and big business the right to pollute the environment and place into question the health of the neighbours?

It seems to me Northern Pulp has a green light to pollute our air, seemingly breaking the rules on a regular basis. They have destroyed Boat Harbour to the point where it is described as the worst environmental issue in the province. Now they seem to be on their way to dumping their effluent into the beautiful Northumberland Strait without proper environmental assessment. My understanding is that even if it was pure, fresh water, such a volume would dramatically disrupt the delicate ecosystem. And let us be sure the scientific study is done by a reputable and independent source. It was distressing to listen to a representative of the plastics industry on the radio this week claiming that single-use plastic bags were less costly to the environment than reusable bags. This is, in fact, true if you throw your reusable bag in the trash after each use but that was not mentioned. It is a fact that careful manipulation of facts can, indeed, veil the truth.

Perhaps it is time to think through some of these issues. If government is truly “responsible” it is time to step up to the plate and create a solution that is best for all … even the grandkids. At the very least, insure that a thorough, independent and unbiased scientific evaluation be completed. It was nice to hear elected officials from P.E.I. voice an objection. But to hear, as a defence from our government, “well it is already going into the strait,” is very disappointing. That’s saying because Northern Pulp is already an environmental problem it is OK to continue.

Blaine MacDonald

Pictou