Vancouver Island's round of faux public hearings into the proposed Northern Gateway bitumen pipeline have wrapped up. The panel heard 253 presentations.
When they were done, the tally was 253 opposed edging out 0 in support of the supertanker initiative. That's 253 to nil. Sort of gives you an idea of what awaits the island's Conservative MPs in the next federal election. Liberals need take no comfort in the Tories' plight. It's a safe bet that ridings on the island and coastal mainland will be divvied up between the Greens and the NDP.
Then again, maybe that's just what the Liberals need - to be shut out of British Columbia entirely.
The Conservatives will just say that the supporters have better things to do than go to hearings and protests, etc.
ReplyDeleteOr they say that the supporters feel threatened by the opponents.
These are things the two Reform MPs from my area get published in our local papers.
The sad thing is, Karen, that it could have been 253,000 to 0 and it wouldn't matter.
ReplyDeleteEven those who took time out to prepare and present their position to the panel knew they were talking to a gaggle of stooges going through the motions of pretending there was a legitimate process. We all know the panel is irrelevant and the Northern Gateway will be a political decision.
Yet it is comforting to witness the resolve ordinary Vancouver Islanders have to oppose Northern Gateway. If that can be rallied into committed resistance, we'll be a force for Harper to reckon with.
Hi Karen:
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I received your DVD with many thanks. I will get back to you as soon as I can. BTW - are we still in Black Tie for the blockade?