Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

100+ MONTHS. In that amount of time, a child could have been born … gone to pre-school … entered Kindergarten, and now be part way through Grade 3


... or maybe I should have titled today's post, “So … whose interests will the BC NDP government of John Horgan be representing?”



According to a government media release today, the government of BC has … filed its registration as an intervener to ensure that British Columbians’ interests are represented in the National Energy Board’s (NEB) reconsideration of aspects of its recommendation report on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project.



The release goes on to say that according to George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, “BC is concerned that the 22-week time-frame is insufficient to accommodate a thorough review, appropriate cross-examination and the time needed by Indigenous groups to fully participate,” said Heyman.



Get ready for it … be warned in advance … because you may explode upon hearing why the government feels the 22-week time-frame is not enough.  It’s because the Horgan government feels the need to … advocate for a process that will meaningfully engage communities and Indigenous groups, provide opportunities for all citizens to be heard and demand thorough answers from the federal government as the new owner of the project.



With that in mind then, let’s take a look at how far back this whole process goes.



The first date of note is February 21st, 2012 -- that’s when Kinder Morgan, after receiving support from oil shippers, said it wanted to expand the Trans Mountain Pipeline and would begin consultations with the public.  The second date is December 16th, 2013, and that’s when Kinder Morgan made application to the National Energy Board (NEB) for approval of the proposed expansion.



So far, we have a process that begin its journey six and a half years ago … and which will now have another 22 weeks added to it.  THAT’S OVER 100 months, and still NO APPROVAL of the project.  In that amount of time, a child could have been born … gone to pre-school … entered Kindergarten, and now be 1/3rd of the way through Grade 3!




Is another 22 weeks really not enough time to finish a lengthy process far beyond the scope of anything like it in the past?



Is another 22 weeks really not enough time to provide for citizens to be heard and engaged with, who have not already been heard, and engaged with, multiple times with exactly pretty much the same comments of protest?



Is another 22 weeks really not enough time to ensure that BCs interests are represented.



And speaking of BC’s interests, exactly whose interest will John Horgan’s NDP government be representing?  Will it be the majority in favour (55%) according to an IPSOS poll … or will it be the minority opposed (37%), and who will remain opposed no matter what?



That same poll from May of this year certainly DID NOT give a glowing report as to what British Columbians think of who Horgan is doing wit the Kinder Morgan / Trans Mountain Pipeline file



“More British Columbians Give Premier Horgan Poor Marks (48%) than Good Marks (39%) in his Handling of Pipeline Issue as Six in Ten (60%) Canadians and British Columbians say Pipeline in the National Interest”



IF there is ANYTHING that the BC government should be registering to intervene on behalf of, it should be the majority of people sick and tired of the endless delays to this project, and any further money wasted in attempts to kill it.



It should also be intervening on behalf of hard-working British Columbians who have already waited for over six and a half years to get this project.



Twenty-two months is more than adequate Mr. Horgan … 22 weeks is more than enough time Mr. Heyman … and 22 weeks is also more than enough time Mr. Weaver!



Hears a message to all three of you; if you really want to intervene on behalf of British Columbians, you know what to do.



If, however you continue to complain 22 weeks is not enough time, well then British Columbians will know to intervene on providing you with further opportunities to continue as government after the next election, and to continue getting in the way of blue-collar British Columbians to have those high-paying union jobs they’ve already waited six and a half years to begin!



In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth, and I hope you’ll join the discussion on this, or any other topic presented here.  Do you agree … disagree?  Post your thoughts in the Comment Section directly below.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FORSETH: Without a strong local presence, there is NO reason for anyone to tune in to local(?) radio

LOCAL HOMETOWN RADIO IS DYING … and without serious measures put in place, it will likely never see the light of day again. For well over four decades, the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) has presided over its’ demise, and for that I say, “Shame”. Without out a word to say enough was enough, the CRTC has allowed corporate Canada to buy up one radio station after the other, and then allowed them to slash staff to the point where some so-called local radio stations do nothing more than air programming that originates from communities well outside the region in which they are located. Case in point?   On CHNL* 610 in Kamloops, the morning show hosted by Vinnie and Randi, DOES NOT originate from Kamloops -- it doesn’t even originate here in BC. It’s a program that Stingray airs across multiple radio stations in Western Canada. It doesn’t end there. Not only are Vinnie and Rando doing mornings on CHNL, but they also show up on sister station Country 103 … and of course o...
5 comments
Read more

Conservative Economic Team Responds to Urgent Industry Concerns

 " For far too long, the BC NDP has ignored the economic challenges facing British Columbians. Manufacturing jobs are vanishing, forestry is in decline, and private sector employment growth has stagnated. Meanwhile, affordability has worsened for both families and businesses. British Columbians deserve better, and we’re here to deliver real solutions to rebuild our economy and create jobs that support everyday working people and their families ." – Gavin Dew, MLA and Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economy, Development, and Innovation.   December 3, 2024, Vancouver, BC – The Conservative economic team met today with business leaders and stakeholders to tackle critical issues impacting British Columbia’s economy. Attended by 9 critics from the Conservative Caucus, this meeting was convened by MLA Gavin Dew – Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation - as a direct response to an October 30th open letter from seven of the province’s largest industry associations. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

WARD STAMER -- We need certainly in our markets, and certainly in our fibre supply, before we no longer have a forest industry in this province

Image Government of BC I think we all realize that the threat of Trump’s 25% tariff is like other provocative statements he’s made in the past. That said, we should have reason to be concerned. Tariffs don’t benefit anyone. A tariff of that magnitude – included on our own softwood lumber exports, will make things more expensive for Americans, and cause friction in the supply chain. If imposed, a twenty-five percent tariff will be equally detrimental to the citizens and economy of the United States, as well as the people of BC. There are two things, however, of equal concern to the threat of punitive tariffs by incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. One is our antiquated stumpage fees. It is a legacy from decades ago, and one incapable of responding to changing market conditions. We need to revamp our stumpage system to better reflect market conditions, and our economic costs. Instead, a value-added tax system will be instantly responsive to current market conditions and will encou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more