Dear Editor:
In a April 19th open letter to Premier Christy Clark, economist Robyn Allan revealed a likely reason for our provincial governments' refusal to comment on the Enbridge pipeline proposal (see www.robyn allan.com).
On June 21, 2010 the B.C. Liberals signed away the province's right to assess the project as provided by the provincial Environmental Assessment Act. Instead, it was agreed B.C. would accept the results of a National Energy Board (NEB) review.
Allan suggests that at the time it was reasonable to assume the standard NEB independent assessment process would prevail. Actions by the Harper government since then, however, have introduced significant game changes.
Few would have thought two years ago that the Government of Canada would someday 1) precipitously declare support for a proposal and demonize those opposed; 2) propose to restrict and limit participation in public hearings; or 3) table legislative change that permits political ideology to set aside NEB findings.
In other words, the situation today is dramatically different.
In her letter, Allan suggests it is more than enough justification for the B.C. Liberals to invoke the opting out clause of the 2010 agreement.
It remains to be seen if Premier Clark thinks so too. Certainly, someone has to speak for the rights and interests of the people of this province when it comes to pipeline proposals.
We know the federal government won't.
Bill Brassington, Burnaby
