The Day After

When all is said and done Canada had a great birthday. We are all pleased with ourselves and for 24 hours we could forget the huge cloud hanging over our rich and beautiful country. In the world there are some countries that are so blessed with natural resources that being a steward of these riches becomes the chief role of people who can properly balance the use of these gifts for all Canadians.

At this point in time Canada stands as one of these countries. We have riches in our resources that are envy of the world. The only country that can compare with us is Russia. Both of these countries have untold wealth because of their geographic locations.

Russia is a country which is tearing out its resources for short term gain. Russia is doing so at a great price to its environment. Their oil fields are a disgrace and the pollution is vast but few people are in a position to control this mess.That is true of most of Russia's resource development.

We in Canada had a record for honest, careful environmental regulations. The process took time and at times got in the way of hasty development. The benefits were the safe guarding of our water, our wildlife and our air. During the past year we have been pushed back fifty years in this regard. Today, one day after Canada day the government is offering for sale the finest fresh water monitoring station in the world. It seems they do not value this station at a cost of $2 million to report and advise the government on water safety like in the tar sands.

This is one small piece in the diminishing of the environmental safety net built up over many years. Every agency dealing with the environment is carefully being dismantled. WHY?  This government is building a oil based economy from the tar sands and does not want anyone or anything slowing it down.

Saskatchewan has the same resources as Alberta but watch how they develop their economy around their resources. They have tar  sands, and other vast resources but are taking a long range view of development and are making sure there is built in safeguards for the future.

We in Canada have vast resources and some are non renewable. These resources have to be used in a responsible manner for the betterment of all Canadians and our environment. This is not being done by this environment minister and our elected government.