Dear Minister Penner:

It was very nice to meet with you and our MLA, Joan McIntyre at the Squamish EOC yesterday. The commitment you have expressed to address this incident is most reassuring. As follow-up, I would like to share with you a deeper concern I am sure we hold common. A concern that addresses not only the “accident” but also resolves the conditions that would allow it to happen again.

Squamish shares the goal of many to move our community towards sustainability. We have demonstrated this in meaningful ways from the expansion of genuine relationships across all jurisdictions, to enacting Smart Growth on the Ground, Green Shores and a host of other qualitative processes.

Squamish Council has considered the first draft of an environmental bylaw that rivals the progressiveness of any community in this regard. We look to adopt this legislation prior to municipal elections, signaling our commitment to move this agenda ahead. All this legislation that takes the protection of our local ecosystem as a first priority becomes our local law - forever. We feel compelled to do this because we represent a transformed citizen base that, like us, have an abiding respect for the natural beauty and sensitivity of this place. The August 5th spill of caustic soda from a CN rail car into the Cheakamus River compels us to seek the same systemic legislation - based on the same cultural norms - entrenched in law for those who do business with or through the community.

What is the reaction to events that move us so dramatically away from sustainability? What compensates for the loss of thousands of salmonids? Who addresses the impact to the Squamish Nation winter food supply? How do we acknowledge the damage to biota? What real policies and penalties go into effect to ensure that the reaction will steer this public institution toward sustainable ways of being? What real laws will be put in place to provide safe transport of hazardous materials through our productive watersheds?

We appreciate that CN operates under the arcane privilege of a century old railway act, but it traverses a country aware of today’s compromised ecosystem. It is our intent through this letter to make a pledge to remain vigilant to not only witness the repair and compensation, but to support legislation that eliminates the risks of this magnitude forever. Please let us know how we can support your Ministry in achieving this goal.

Sonja Lebans
Acting Mayor

Asking CN to count the costs

Editor,

Regarding the Aug. 5, 2005 CN derailment of a tanker car carrying sodium hydroxide (lye), and the subsequent $250,000 offer made by CN in its partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) to rebuild the spawning grounds.

If each spawning salmon can produce 3,000 eggs, and some 5,000 spawners were lost, we are looking at some 15,000,000 potential salmon that are no longer in the system. Fifteen million salmon at a conservative cost of $6 per fish would impact the consumer market at $90 million.

It would appear that more than 5,000 spawners were killed, resulting in a much higher loss to the total fishing industry. My question is - who is going to pay for the loss, the commercial fishery or ultimately the consumer?

Donald Christie
Squamish

Leave US out of CN spill

Editor,

Rios Sdrakas had my full support on his concerns of the CN Rail tragic accident, but how does this situation turn into an American bashing platform? For him to take this tragedy and turn it into his soap box for American bashing (and the Chief letting him do it) is a tragedy in itself. I have reiterated his comments below as to hope he will read them and realize how ignorant they are.

“It is time to stand up on issues and secure our children’s future or we will have nothing left for them except the American way of life.

We give everything to the USA, our wood, rivers, trains, power, etc. As our largest trading partner, we give and they take. Protection of our resources and assets are important; giving them away will not help us. Allowing our lives to hang on a single thread is irresponsible and shows a lack of due process.”

I really do not think any of Canada’s wood, rivers, trains, power, etc. have been given to the USA as implied. You might be able to argue there are some unfair trade policies between the USA and Canada, but to say Canada is giving these away is ridiculous. You think the CN tragedy has hurt your business? How about putting a big sign on the entrance to your store with your above quote?

Gene Smith
Squamish

© The Whistler Question 2005