I’m disgusted at the decision of the Port of Vancouver commissioners to proceed with processing huge amounts of crude oil. I’m even more appalled at Commissioner Nancy Baker’s reasoning that, if the port doesn’t build the infrastructure to handle oil, then “Someone else is going to do it. That’s the way the world works.” Would she say “If we don’t buy the slaves (or dump the toxic waste or kill all the whales), someone else will”? Is this principled leadership? I want our leaders to believe that by taking the high road, they will inspire others to do the same.
As we look at improving local government, we must change our charters to reflect the global reality that they cannot protect and serve this community while simultaneously destroying our environment.
Betty Montgomery
Vancouver
