The falsehoods, misinformation and unrestrained nonsense, published in a letter to the editor by Chris Genovali of Raincoast Conservation cannot be allowed to stand unanswered.
The environmental lobby group claims Enbridge has amassed $100 million to "grease the regulatory skids" for the Northern Gateway Project.
Such a baseless and ridiculous claim does great injustice to the highly-qualified professionals charged with assessing the environmental, economic and social implications of Northern Gateway.
To suggest these experts can be "greased" not only insults them but unfairly maligns the entire regulatory process which is not only exhaustive, robust and comprehensive, but also world class in its application and something that should be a source of pride for all Canadians.
All Canadians except for the aforementioned lobby group, apparently.
In Canada, the fact is, energy projects only stand a chance of approval after millions of dollars of engineering, environmental and cultural work has been completed, current regulatory results and expectations incorporated, and the results of public consultation have been fully considered in the project design.
The professionals who design projects and those who work through the regulatory process must ensure the proposal meets the expectations of the regulators and the public. This is about transparency and attention to detail. This isn't about "greasing the regulatory skids."
In addition, the environmental lobby group takes offense at the undeniable fact that this project would be of great benefit not only to the communities along the Right of Way, but to British Columbians and all Canadians through long term jobs, construction employment, economic spinoffs, taxes and royalties that support health care, education and social programs that benefit us all.
As a representative of a coalition of nearly 700 citizens and community leaders supporting the regulatory review of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, I fully expect the readers of the Prince George Citizen will see through this nonsensical drivel and see the facts. These same readers may ask who funds Chris Genovali and his group of alarmists?
Colin Kinsley
Chair, Northern Gateway Alliance
