Plan to purchase pipeline is appalling
Re Liberal government to buy Trans Mountain pipeline project, seek new investors, Online, May 29 I was shocked to learn about the impending purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline by the federal Liberal government for $4.5 billion.
As an atmospheric physicist and an active climate-change researcher, I find the conduct of the Justin Trudeau government in this regard disgusting and appalling. If we are looking for a visionary leader who would lead us from a fossil-fuel-based (and environmentally destructive) economy to a sustainable low-carbon economy in Canada, then Trudeau is not that person.
When Trudeau was elected, there was a sense of hope in doing our part as a nation to really start reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I have followed the United Nations’ COP meetings with a great deal of interest, and Canada promised achievable objectives in the Paris Agreement. These objectives do not seem achievable now. Kaz Higuchi, environmental studies professor, York University, Toronto I find it appalling that the government is using taxpayers’ money to benefit a corporation. This makes me realize how influential the corporations really are and how insignificant are the voices of Indigenous people and the thousands of others opposing this pipeline. How can the government turn a blind eye to the harmful effects this pipeline may pose? Oil spills are an inevitable consequence.
I wish there were some mechanism to determine how I want my taxes used. I am definitely not paying them so a corporation can build an oil pipeline to endanger the environment of a province with some of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. Sneha Singh, Mississauga Pierre Berton’s The Last Spike captured a moment when the Canadian government was in the railroad- building business. Now, Ottawa has entered its pipeline era. Will Berton’s book get a sequel, perhaps The Last Spill? Ken Luckhardt, Etobicoke