Although long retired as an MLA and cabinet minister, I still take an active interest in B.C. and the events and issues that define our province. I have served as Speaker of the House, minister of tourism, minister of social services and housing, minister of state (Okanagan), minister of forests, and minister of employment and income assistance.
One area that I have been paying attention to is the ongoing debate regarding B.C.’s burgeoning liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, where unfortunately the discussion is too often not about facts but one dominated by rhetoric, half-truths and misinformation, and this is not serving British Columbians.
Lately the debate has shifted to Squamish, where there is much discussion regarding the proposed Woodfibre LNG facility project and corresponding pipeline project. Here as elsewhere in B.C., the LNG debate has become far more focussed on rhetoric as opposed to facts. This is very unfortunate given that an LNG industry has the potential to make a very positive difference to B.C. and our economy.
We want the jobs and we need new investment and the prosperity that comes with it to support critical infrastructure and health, education and social programs. We also want to ensure that development takes place in a manner that protects our environment.
As a former minister in both the forests and tourism portfolios in B.C., I can state unequivocally that development can and must exist while maintaining the natural beauty all of us hold dear. We have witnessed environmental stewardship in other resource industries in B.C. and there’s no reason to think we can’t create an LNG industry with the same high standards.
We can all agree that it’s our duty to provide opportunities for this generation, and that while we are doing so, to also protect the environment for all those that follow. A healthy environment needs to be fostered and protected for future generations, but so too does our economy.
A healthy economy means jobs and opportunities in new industries, which will provide benefits for British Columbians today and well into the future. If there is to be a healthy debate on LNG development, then those who support LNG projects must ensure that their voices are heard.
Claude Richmond
Kamloops, B.C.
