A recent visit to Vancouver by federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver was designed to quell the doubts about our nation’s capacity to tackle oil spills, but it had the opposite effect.
A public relations ploy at best, Oliver’s “inspirational” message faltered when the arrival of a ship from Victoria, capable of oil spill clean up, was delayed.
Unfortunately, the ship ran aground on a sandbar while traveling across the Georgia Strait. The captain met a ferry in Active Pass and took evasive action.
Then, while he is awaiting the missing ship, Oliver speaks about the pipeline and environmental safety. He goes on to say that he is “sure that British Columbians will absolutely respond to the science and facts going forward.”
What science and whose facts is he referring to? Our government’s scientists are now muzzled. Science in Canada is politicized, and is transformed into political spin designed to serve the interests of the privileged few at the expense of the rest of Canadians.
With the anniversary of the Exxon Valdes oil spill just past, west coast residents are not going to be easy prey.
Sheri Farinha
Parksville