Dear Editor:
Re: Pipeline will help Burnaby, Burnaby NOW, Nov. 29.
Having attended a number of anti-pipeline rallies (they had been promoted to be "information" sessions), it was a real pleasure to hear the president and CEO of Kinder Morgan Canada, Mr. Ian Anderson, speak at a well-attended Burnaby Board of Trade luncheon on Nov. 27.
Few of those who were present at the earlier anti-pipeline sessions would have appreciated Mr. Anderson's good news. At those meetings, they just seemed determined to thwart all efforts to advance our economy with their misguided quest to save the planet.
Mr. Anderson had figures at his fingertips, such as increased tax revenues which would benefit Burnaby, B.C. and Canada. During the construction period, Burnaby would not only provide a large number of workers, existing businesses can also look forward to subcontracts, hotels will accommodate workers from out of town, and restaurants should be busier! Not having the pipelines yet means Canada forgoes about $50 million in lost revenue daily! (It has always amazed me how the global warming crowd has lamented that oil profits disappear off-shore. Nearly all pension funds carry oil stocks.)
He focused on the excellent co-operation between Kinder Morgan, the mayor, business owners and citizens of Valemount while the portion of his pipeline through Jasper National Park was twinned. He showed how residents in smaller communities in the "Hinterlands" are better connected to the workings of the economy because projects of this nature affect all directly.
Attendees did not spare the hard questions. It turned out that Mr. Anderson shared all concerns about possible accidents and oil spills or native rights. He pointed out such extra safety measures as the booming of all tankers while loading, double hulling and the assistance of tugboats whenever loaded. However, he also seemed prepared to work with all stakeholders and arrive at a solution.
Being an old sailor boy, I have never been able to share the concern of those who believe increasing our tanker traffic in Vancouver from one per week to one or two per day is a problem. Europort, also known as Rotterdam, accommodates one ship every seven minutes, yes, on the average 205 per day. All need to pass through a fairly narrow canal, the Nieuwe Waterweg, to get in or out.
Yes, Mr. Anderson, it was a real pleasure to listen to some positive thoughts. Thank you, board of trade, for inviting us.
Ziggy Eckardt, Burnaby
