Dan Albas’ column of July 19 rightfully points out that there was significant job growth in the first six months of 2012. However, he doesn’t explain that the jobs created were mostly in engineering, oil and gas extraction and petroleum. I wonder if many of these new positions are in preparation for Enbridge’s Northern Gateway which British Columbians are about to have rammed down our throats.
Also, the job gains will be short-lived according to most economists — so I assume Mr. Albas will report of this in the future six months. He might also have mentioned that the percentage of young people without jobs is the highest in decades.
Make no mistake, despite B.C. angst, this pipeline will proceed. Concessions to pacify the citizens are probably already in the planning stage, e.g. routing the pipeline to Prince Rupert rather than Kitimat. So everyone will be pleased with the con job which was probably the original intent.
Harper is playing a dangerous game if he thinks that he can change environmental laws to make B.C. financially responsible for waterway spills, and then force a pipeline into pristine wilderness. British Columbians will not allow this, and for Premier Clark to think that this is just about revenue share further demonstrates that lack of insight displayed by our politicians at both provincial and federal levels.
Since Ontario and all eastern provinces rely on imported oil, why has the option of building a pipeline east not been considered? Why don’t we build a refinery at the source and diminish potential environmental damage? Why don’t we hire Canadian companies to do these things and create even more jobs? Why? (Did you know that 41 per cent of Conservative MPs do not have a degree — maybe that explains a lot?)
Finally, for Dan Albas to even vaguely suggest that Bill C38 is in any way responsible for the improving economy is purely political and is just not factual. Bill C38 was just a slap in the face for ordinary Joes.
Patrick MacDonald
Penticton
