I find myself in strange agreement with the Harper Government. That is an unusual position for me and taken only after much thought.
Harper has stated that the Obama delay is unacceptable and as a result, Canada will look to other markets for its oil and gas - markets like China.
This pipeline will provide many jobs during the construction phase and some after; it may have adverse effects on the environment if it should fail or if any of the tankers encounter disaster.
Well, every project that provides jobs may - and it is may, not will - endanger someone or something. That is the nature of development.
We can try to make things totally safe, but time and time again human mistakes or nature will manage to create a disaster. That does not mean we stop.
Simply put, any technology
involves some risk.
Any development of a mine, a pipeline, a port, an airport or anything that will provide jobs
involves some risk.
That cannot be avoided and no guarantees can be given. The job you may have or want involves some risk as well to you, to others or to the environment. To avoid all risk is to stop any progress or development and the jobs that such bring.
What we can do, and should do in my opinion, is to use every strategy we can to make sure that the risks are cut down as much as possible. This means research and regulation. Regulation not by the companies building the pipeline, but by our governments and scientists. Yes, the Enbridge pipeline involves some risk. Our task is to limit that risk as best we can not to demand that because of a slight risk, the project should never be built.
Willow Arune
Prince George
