Editor:
Re: Port has nothing to hide, Sept. 16.
I would like to thank Ken Veldman, P.R. point man for the Prince Rupert Port Authority, for clarifying that a Ridley Island terminal for oil tankers is a distinct possibility.
Thanks also for pointing out that the port “has a mandate to promote and facilitate trade in a way that is environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and economically beneficial for Canadians”.
The current First Nations occupation of Lelu Island shows just how successful the Port Authority has been in promoting that mandate with the Petronas LNG project. Do you think that they will do any better with an oil tanker facility?
When it comes to protecting wild salmon, both our Provincial and our federal governments have let us down repeatedly. Promoting salmon-fry killing salmon farms, gutting the local fishing fleet; these were not prudent, well-thought out policies.
First Nations people know the importance of wild salmon in ensuring our continued survival. Our governments should be mandated to protect our environment for future prosperity. Instead they gut environmental laws and allow the fossil fuel industry to “self-regulate”.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority might as well come clean and drop the “socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable” part of their mandate.
Their actions speak louder than their words.
Charles Justice
Prince Rupert
