Re: “Stagnant B.C. needs renewal,” editorial, Feb. 3.

The editorial is very timely and you raise some interesting issues. I believe we are falling behind other parts of Canada and elsewhere in the world because there is such a strong “anti-progress and change” atmosphere here.

Every time there is a plan to build something, whether it be tall buildings, new highways, pipelines, mines or sewage treatment plants, hordes of “no, nothing, never” activists come out to protest, demonstrate and disrupt. It seems that here in B.C. we do not want progress or prosperity. We are more interested in preventing change from happening. Perhaps we feel we are well enough already.

Sadly, our politicians pander to the noisy anti-progress people and throw up so many obstacles to growth that many plans get abandoned or investors go elsewhere. Harold Wilson, a former prime minister of the U.K., once said: “He who rejects change is the architect of decay.”

When will our leaders take a firm stand for progress and try to encourage growth and the development of our resources and our communities to build a vibrant economy for our children and grandchildren?

I hope that day comes soon or we will see a repeat of the 1990s’ lost decade, and our young people will leave for Newfoundland, Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Eric Nielsen

Victoria

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