Re: “Spill might be bigger than expected,” April 17.
“World class” is how Industry Minister James Moore describes Canada’s oil response capabilities following the oil spill that fouled the waters and shoreline of English Bay. When criticism was levelled at federal agencies around the inadequate response time and communications breakdown with municipal authorities, Moore brushed aside critics and bragged about the efficiency of the Coast Guard’s clean-up.
It seems the public, however, is not buying his duplicitous spin. In fact, the outrage of residents along our local beaches is palpable. It is obvious to Vancouverites that the Harper government has little regard for safeguarding our marine environment. In 2012, they brought in sweeping changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act that removed federal protection for tens of thousands of our nation’s treasured rivers, lakes and oceans.
They have carefully managed the proceedings of the National Energy Board to meet the demand by the oil industry to pipe bitumen to ports on the Pacific and then ship the unrefined crude through our pristine coastal waterways. They have even sought to save chump change by unapologetically closing the Kitsilano Coast Guard base, thereby undermining the speed in which first responders can deal with environmental emergencies in our local waters.
The Conservatives consider environmental protection as a hindrance to attracting global investment and enhancing corporate earnings. They largely ignore the reality of climate change and thwart the environmental research of federal scientists. They have a burning contempt for anyone, including our mayor, premier and even the current American president, who gets in the way of their blind determination to maximize the profits buried in the sands of northern Alberta.
However, there may be a silver lining underneath the toxic oily sheen floating on the surface of English Bay. The spill may serve as a catalyst to mobilize an angry electorate on the west coast fed up with the likes of Minister Moore and the rest of his uncaring colleagues in the Harper Government. Voters in the next election may instead be inspired to support candidates for Parliament from British Columbia deeply committed to protecting our fragile ecosystem.
Conor Murphy, Vancouver
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To the editor:
The Coast Guard Commissioner’s comment about the closed Kits station never providing environmental response was responded to by Frederick E. Moxey, the former commander of the now-closed Kitsilano Coast Guard station: “All the officers and crew at Kitsilano were trained and had responded to oil spills as well as search and rescue. For her to say that is just false and I will sign an affidavit declaring the fact we were and had been called to respond to spills often.”
The Kits station had a specialized pollution response vessel and two other boats, with access to enough booms to surround the freighter in an hour rather than the almost 13 hours it took the private company.
Stephen Chessor, Vancouver
