by Rich Valentine I have noticed a few letters and outrageously dramatic posters posted up around the community. Honestly, it is pretty discouraging to myself and others, when misleading propaganda is circulated and gullible, well intentioned, but quite frankly hypocritical people, stand up with a “not in my backyard” mentality.
We’ve seen it before with mill expansion and projects, run of river or other hydro projects, LNG (liquid natural gas), and now potential coal storage expansion on Texada Island. It is ironic that when any new or existing industry proposes adding needed jobs and stability, there is a group of hypocrites who suddenly develop this grand environmental conscience after a lifetime of consuming goods, inefficient combustion of many fuels and using toxic and chemical compounds in a multitude of products. These same people probably have one or two vehicles at home, an RV, and investment portfolios containing or related to energy or natural resource-based revenues in one shape or form. They more than likely take an airline trip somewhere on occasion, and have a home full of plastic or other man-made consumer items, which are essentially a toxic fruit salad inside—but you love these things—full of hundreds of dangerous chemicals, some toxic, some carcinogenic. These individuals stand up for things when it’s convenient and also turn a blind eye when it’s convenient for them.
Some people think younger generations and the working class don’t care about the environment. We care and are more educated about our impacts on the surrounding environment. However, we also face more challenges in raising and providing for a family in this community, in today’s over-inflating world.
Many would love to stay in our communities, where we, our parents and grandparents were born and raised without being forced to move abroad and essentially being displaced by retirees.
Industry is a balancing act; our economy depends on natural resource extraction and international export. Thankfully, the laws and requirements by various departments are leaps and bounds from where they were when the older generations earned their livings. They are not perfect and we all know this, more needs to be done on the science, law and enforcement front. People need to understand that these projects are monitored and have to meet certain environmental criteria and safeguards and they are regulated and enforced by the law. I think this is really where these people and especially Nicholas Simons need to focus their attention. What are the current rules and regulations? How can we actually make things better and laws have more teeth?
There are many industries operating out there which greatly need better rules (forestry, fishing, agriculture, et cetera) and need attention and revisiting as well.
The focus always singles out these individual projects because it is easy and it has more wow factor. This is also what divides people on environmental concern as it really does nothing to make things better in the broader scheme of things. Instead, the focus should be drawn upon the real issue of the bigger picture, and that is governments need to be told—voiced by the people—to change, improve, enforce the rules and look out for the environment. Improve the law, simple, and you will find most people stand behind it.
Rich Valentine is a Texada Island resident who has worked at Lafarge Canada Inc.’s Texada quarry for over a year.
