It seems the cry of times is, “Go big oil or go to food banks.”
If that is the only answer that is forthcoming from the B.C. Conservative Party, they are not showing much initiative to create jobs and prosperity for the bulk of the underemployed, unemployed or unskilled workers of this province.
I have looked at the Northern Gateway web page. They are stating in their own words how few long-term jobs will be available after the initial pipeline is built. Around 200.
Contrast that small job benefit to the loss of security of the integral environment, First Nations territories, watersheds, animal habitat, existing jobs and sensibilities of British Columbians who cherish all their province has to offer.
The amount of money that is projected over 30 years to sway the hearts and minds of B.C. residents is like a toxic carrot.
You know there is a stick in the other hand.
Sovereignty, security, safety — these cannot be undersold as they are the underpinnings of our civil society. As a Canadian citizen, I should be able to expect a governing party to respect the values and concerns that I and other Canadians have regarding the process of developing or not developing a project that could have untold negative factors attached to it.
There is no planet B, no way to replace all of the water used to extract tar sands product, no way to keep the air pollution in check, no way to reclaim the land and waterways when a pipeline fails or reclaim and repair water and marine life when an incident occurs at sea.
Ignoring all of the input from B.C. residents who are fighting hard to keep B.C. the jewel of the country, the healthy home of the First Nations peoples, the safe environment for water and land creatures, the worksites of many B.C. individuals and companies on land and sea is too say those people don’t matter.
While it may be expedient to choose this topic to introduce oneself as a candidate for a political party, I cannot think it a wise one if the intent is to win friends and influence people.
The people of B.C. have looked at the big picture and taken it into consideration for those living now and in the future.
The answer is no.
Glenna Miles
Vernon
