Petronas’ departure from B.C. LNG project our own fault
On July 15 I wrote on my blog: “It’s hard to find anything so mishandled as the liquefied natural gas initiatives of Canadians; in this case the British Columbian government. Sitting on trillions of cubic feet of reserves in northeast B.C., the B.C. government dilly-dallied while industry was getting the necessary approvals from the National Energy Board for exporting the gas.
“By the time the B.C. government had got around to a royalty/tax structure for the various projects lined up to go, it was too late. The Australian and American interests had outflanked them and the rest is history.”
I went on to quote a new study by the International Energy Agency on global LNG in which Canada is hardly mentioned. Australia and the U.S. are mentioned because over the past several years they were “barging” ahead while B.C. was acting as if it had all the time in the world. Add to that is the fact that Qatar, the largest exporter of LNG, was getting back to producing more after a decade of suspending any expansion.
You can make all sorts of excuses, but the reason prices are what they are is because B.C. and Canada’s competition got ahead of us. We weren’t up to the task. We were slow to understand the global industry and the nature of the competition. I wonder — will we face this reality? Brian Peckford, Nanaimo
Payette should step down
Re: Payette should resign over past events, reader says, Letters, July 25.
I fully agree with letter-writer Jiti Khanna that Julie Payette should withdraw from the governor-general position because of her blemished past. And because we already had Michaelle Jean, also from Quebec, as a governor-general not long ago.
Ideally, the job should be discontinued as too costly. If Britons used their right to Brexit, we should have the same right to Canexit. Jerzy Rudowski, Langley
Payette criticism way off
With regards to Jiti Khanna’s letter concerning Julie Payette’s qualifications as governor-general, the arguments presented were weak and groundless. Not only was she not guilty in both noted incidents, she underwent one of the most rigorous training programs on Earth to become an astronaut, and that includes extensive psychological testing. She’s more than fit to hold a position that is largely ceremonial.
Perhaps this reader has a problem as she was appointed by a Liberal. This reader has submitted letters of adulation for Donald Trump, a man who certainly should be psychologically tested and has embarrassed Americans worldwide due to his seemingly endless transgressions, ineptitude and buffoonery. Now, which one should withdraw or resign?
Andrew Porter, Delta
Payette stance objectionable
I’m stunned that Jiti Khanna wants Julie Payette to resign as governor-general designate because of a charge of assault, which was withdrawn, and a fatal car crash, for which she wasn’t held responsible.
To be so judgmental and state that Payette is emotionally unstable and an inattentive driver is objectionable at best. What sources does Khanna have to substantiate such a damning opinion?
I suggest he isn’t qualified to make such a statement. Hilary Sands, Mission
Letter lacked credibility
The published rant posted Tuesday in the letters to the editor was a political attempt to discredit governor-general designate Julie Payette. It had no credibility and was childish. Brian Robinson, Coquitlam
Buy your own ashtray
Re: Ashtrays would cut fires, Letters, July 25. Grant Hudson’s letter suggesting auto manufacturers put ashtrays back in cars is a joke. How about smokers not being so selfish and buy an ashtray to butt out in the car or just quit the filthy habit?
The majority of them have no consideration for anything; just look at the discarded butts on the ground, even with ashtrays provided in smoking areas.
Glenn Nordal, Langley