Dear Editor:
As a resident of Burnaby, I am dismayed that the provincial government has been so dismissive about the dramatic events that have been unfolding on Burnaby Mountain.
Lone Liberal MLA Richard Lee is still repeating his election mantra about the proposed pipeline not being an issue in Burnaby North, in spite of the fact that many of his own constituents have just been arrested for protesting it.
He continues to maintain that the pipeline won't run through Burnaby North. But, who knows where it may end up? Kinder Morgan has already changed the route at least twice.
Even the National Energy Board accepts that the pipeline is an issue for Burnaby North residents.
Many of us have been granted intervenor or commentator status in the upcoming hearings. Community awareness and concern about the impact of the pipeline has been growing significantly since Mr. Lee received his talking points in May 2013.
That our MLA can only respond to a developing crisis by repeating his party's five tired old so-called conditions demonstrates he is either not paying attention to the mood of his constituency or he has sided with Kinder Morgan against us.
And then there is the appalling statement by his leader, Christy Clark. The premier trivialized the meaning of the protest on Burnaby Mountain when she chose to lecture Burnaby parents for letting their children participate.
Does she really think we have forgotten that during the last election she had already demonstrated her disregard for the law when she chose to run a red light on a dare from her child? When government isn't seen to be standing up to a Texas-based oil giant they shouldn't be surprised when citizens do for themselves.
Janet Routledge, Burnaby
