To the editor:
Re: "Climate kids upset over cancelled coal forum," May 29.
I was part of a delegation of representatives from all municipalities along the coal train route from White Rock to Surrey and those affected by the Surrey Fraser Dock Facility and resultant barge traffic from New Westminster to Texada Island last Thursday at the Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) offices. We were there to present a 400-plus signed petition, letters and a request for a meeting on behalf of New Westminster's Quayside Community Board.
Of all the posters, placards, speeches and letters at Canada Place, the most impressive presentation came from high school student Sam Harrison. He and 20 others of his generation had convinced PMV to allow them to make a presentation as to the effects they saw in allowing Surrey Fraser Docks to proceed to facilitate U.S. coal exports via Canada. The port reneged on the promised meeting.
I am relying on the Courier article but, if true, the hypocrisy demonstrated by that action not only undermines the faith youth should have in their "right to be heard" but is also demonstrative of how the Surrey Fraser Docks so-called "public consultation" is really a "public relations" exercise - a one-sided sham sanctioned by the PMV as they ink their rubber stamp.
Our local politicians in New Westminster are to be lauded for their "Town Hall" meeting this week with all parties invited to share their views on the issue, even though Surrey Fraser Docks refused to have one of its "open houses" in New Westminster. All sides need to be heard. On the assumption that Metro Vancouver has a similar format June 14, I hope Sam and his cohorts will sign up, attend and finally make their presentation, despite their earlier shoddy treatment by PMV. By doing so, perhaps we can begin to restore the faith of his generation in public institutions and due process and nudge PMV to do the same.
Ted Eddy, New Westminster
