Response to Michael McGillion's letter (Aug. 11, 2016).
Michael McGillion’s letter published Aug. 11 in The Chief criticizing me and my Aug. 4 letter to The Chief regarding the Mt. Mulligan compressor station is riddled with errors.
Firstly, I have no idea what a “petrol chemical project” is – I assume he means “petro chemical.” In any event, his claim that I said there were other petro chemical projects in other watersheds is false. I said correctly that there are other compressor stations (hardly petro chemical projects – see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrochemical) in watersheds including Fortis’ compressor stations in Coquitlam, Langley and Port Mellon.
His claim that I said Squamish should also install “petrol chemical installations” in their water shed is also false, nor did I say that about the proposed compressor station. I just provided information and opinions on the Concerned Residents of Valleyfield (CRV) document from my 46 years in the energy business and other sources; people can do what they wish with my input.
He claims that I have used the words “alarmist” and “misinformation” to describe opposition to “controversial petrol chemical projects that are not yet approved”. I cannot recall any involvement in a petro chemical project in the last 15 years. I have used those words regarding certain opposition material on several pipeline projects, and stand by it. Not all opponents use alarmist misinformation, but it is not uncommon.
McGillion is right on a few things in his letter – I am a chemical engineer, and I sometimes use my knowledge and experience to work for money, just as many environmentalists are paid (some by U.S. foundations) for their efforts. I do not disparage their work based on whether they are paid or not, but rather I assess their work based on analysis of their claims and statements.
McGillion has apparently done no analysis of my statements of Aug. 4, but simply suggests my opinions are “self-serving.” Could the same not be said of many groups and perhaps even himself, and CRV? I do not assume that “self-serving” and “correct” are mutually exclusive as he may.
As for his insinuations about my living in pristine Vancouver where we would not consider a petrochemical installation, perhaps he should do a bit of research. In North Vancouver, we have terminals for crude oil and petroleum products, chemicals, sulphur, coal, a chlorine/hydrochloric acid plant, an ethanol terminal, sodium chlorate, lube oil re-refining, and many other commodities, including oil tankers. We’re a port, as is Squamish to some extent. These activities generate thousands of jobs.
McGillion tires “of self-serving people in the petrol (sic) industry that do not live here, do not drink the water here, do not breath the air here telling us that Mount Mulligan compressor station is a safe thing to allow.” I did not say that either! I merely commented on specific claims of CRV.
However, as a taxpayer in B.C. and Canada, I have as much right as anyone to express my opinions publicly. As for myself, I tire of people putting words in my mouth, ad hominem attacks and having my positions misrepresented.
John Hunter, P. Eng.
President & CEO J. Hunter & Associates Ltd., North Vancouver
