In 1982, Margaret Thatcher, then prime minister of Britain, went to Beijing, and when she left, she agreed to hand the city of Hong Kong over to the People’s Republic of China. The people of Hong Kong were not consulted about their future.
Similarly, the Port of Vancouver agreed to establish an oil terminal in Vancouver with Tesoro-Savage, and residents here were not consulted whether this was something they wanted for their future.
While comparing these two situations is a bit of a stretch, the fact remains that our city and our lives may well be changed by this unilateral decision on the port’s part. The damage potential to the Columbia River, the explosion potential of thousands of oil cars rolling throughout suburbs that could endanger lives and property and turning our city into an oil town was not discussed with those who live here.
This grievous error can still be corrected. Terminate the lease agreement.
