Dear Editor:
The recent rallies across the province brought out B.C. taxpayers that are against the pipeline project - happily retired taxpayers, employed taxpayers that still have not been able to buy their own home yet, and the unemployed.
These same people all go and buy lottery tickets every week hoping for the big prize. The chances are only one in 28.6 million of winning. The current opposition party of B.C., the B.C. NDP have said a big "No!" to the pipeline, meaning case closed. No chance with the lottery or the NDP opposition.
The present government of B.C., the B.C. Liberals have left the option open on the consideration that a five-point plan is reached between all parties concerned. One of the five points is that B.C. taxpayers receive a favourable share of the royalties from the Enbridge company. Construction of the pipeline, would supply a very large number of good paying union jobs. The pipes would have to be built and manufactured in Canada. Hotels, restaurants, machine shops, parts suppliers, heavy construction equipment companies, etc. in areas near the pipeline construction would see revenues like they haven't seen in ages.
The B.C. Liberal government has to take this five-point plan one step further. If the five-point plan is met, then the government has to give the B.C. taxpayers a say on the options in regards to the royalties.
Now that the taxpayers are in charge of the final (financial) decision, these happily retired taxpayers would be more happy, the employed taxpayers could buy a home after all, and the unemployed could hopefully become employed from all of the spin off jobs. In the meantime, the taxpayers still would have not won the grand prize in the lottery, but are having a better cost of living.
Oh yes, chances have to be taken and accidents will happen. All of us taxpayers take chances every day once we get out of bed every morning. No one call tell what is going to happen. An oil spill from a ruptured pipe, or an oil spill on the ocean is mere peanuts compared to what the province would look like if that always mentioned earthquake does arrive. Presently today, there is also many pipelines worldwide, and plenty of tanker traffic.
This is why the pipeline should be built.
Joe Sawchuk, Duncan
