Oilsands expansion kills jobs at mountain ski resorts

Re: War declared on green ‘ radicals’, Column, Jan. 16

Terence Corcoran accuses U. S. environmentalists and celebrities of aiming to “shut down large portions of the Canadian economy.”

The Northern Gateway project, which has drawn the attention of some in the U. S., is anticipated to provide 3,000 temporary jobs and 104 permanent jobs.

Interestingly, last Friday The Vancouver Sun reported that U. S. skiers are flocking to resorts in B. C. due to a lack of snow south of the border.

On Saturday, The Vancouver Sun reported on the extinction of ski resorts in the Alps. Glaciers are melting and the snow is disappearing. Climate change will cost Switzerland’s winter tourism industry $ 1.4 billion to $ 1.9 billion annually by 2050.

A 1998 B. C. government report indicated that B. C.’ s mountain ski resorts provide 3,771 full- time equivalent jobs.

I work multiple jobs, so I know that the economy is merely a reflection of priorities. What is more important: expanding our capacity to produce fossil fuels or preserving the economic and ecological value of our rivers, oceans, glaciers and mountains? CAMERON DEAN Vancouver