Private sector must pull its financial weight, reader says
I’m not at all surprised Victoria is pushing ahead with a liquefied natural gas project in Kitimat initiated under the Liberals.
The NDP’s about-face on the Site C dam project last fall was a clear indication natural-gas extraction was alive and well, since the main purpose of that dam has always been to support the energy-intensive, natural-gas fracking industry. I have no doubt this sector will be economically viable for B.C. as long as the industry pays the bulk of the costs associated with the dam and infrastructure.
I’m tired of taxpayers subsidizing “profitable” private-sector mega-projects. Charles Leduc, Vancouver
U.S. milk cheaper for reason
The U.S. can bring a cow to NAFTA, but it can’t make Canadians drink.
While it’s cheaper for giant agro-businesses to produce dairy south of the border, it has lower quality. We have small, local farmers who are our neighbours. I understand some of their cows even have names.
The message? Buy Canadian. Chad Hardcastle, Richmond
Voting change waste of time
I think B.C. voters should gird themselves against the rhetoric of self-serving politicians and vote against any proportional representation system. In short, if the purpose is to re-engage disenchanted voters and get them to vote, then PR and pretending that everyone can win is a waste of time.
The reason voters don’t care about voting and the reason they’re frustrated with politics is that no matter who you vote for, once they’re in power, they do whatever they want. What’s the point in taking the time to research your candidates and the parties’ platforms when you know that they will pay little regard to what they promised before the election?
Since politicians and parties can’t behave honourably, it isn’t appropriate to allow them to change the system to suit them. Mike Stradiotti, Delta
New system of ‘just’ politics
Some folks say they aren’t following the upcoming referendum on electoral reform because “it’s too political.”
To that I say, “Everything is political!” Your health care, education, wages, taxes, etc., it’s all political.
Almost every aspect of life is determined in the B.C. legislature and House of Commons. Either we become informed and politically active or we are ruled by the rich, the lobbyists and those with vested interests.
I believe that the best way to eliminate our current adversarial, bullying politics is to bring in a collaborative, inclusive and just democracy through proportional representation. Linda Wall, Kamloops Metals buyers ask for better
The column last week by Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Robert Phillips on the government’s inaction on the Mount Polley expert panel’s recommendation to prevent future tailings disasters highlights disturbing gaps in dam safety for B.C. communities and ecosystems. It’s a clear call for action.
Some clarification is warranted around the industry’s Towards Sustainable Mining standard response to the recommendations. Unlike the government, the Mining Association of Canada did convene its own task force, which overhauled and upgraded its tailings standards, which are subject to external verification and reporting.
TSM is part of a larger industry and market response to the failure of regulatory oversight. Large metals buyers are increasingly turning to extra-regulatory standards like the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance to encourage and reward best-practice performance.
B.C. needs to catch up to demands of metals buyers and industry leaders, otherwise we lose economically and environmentally. Alan Young, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, Kamloops