Re: Politics of oil debate, Burnaby NOW, Feb. 3.
Thank you for printing Bill Brassington's incisive commentary on how oil oozes its way into politics from the global right down to the very local scale.
The industry-government partnership in Canada and B.C. clamoring to rush dirty tar sands bitumen to Asian markets with Northern Gateway and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion would condemn future generations to a world of run-away climate change and could leave the children of North Burnaby (including mine) with another grave threat to health and safety right in their backyard.
The recent articles about the Chevron refinery's struggle to compete for the oil coming through our city just proves that the companies involved in producing and transporting crude care only about maximizing their profits, not about Canadian selfsufficiency, refinery jobs, public health or environmental protection.
But if we fall into the trap of debating whether it's more important to protect Burnaby's refinery jobs or the local environment and global climate, then we all lose and they win. Again.
And don't be surprised when, after Kinder Morgan twins its pipeline, the refinery closes anyway and we become even more dependent on foreign refineries and energy markets.
I am ready to do whatever it takes to stop Kinder Morgan's pipeline expansion, protect local livelihoods and fight climate change. I hope my neighbours will join me.
Laura Benson, Burnaby
