"Enjoy the story of your own life."
- Thoreau
Now that the Supreme Court of Canada has further clarified governmental obligations regarding aboriginal land title, administrative fart-catchers to federal ministers and oil industry CEOs alike will be advising their Gucci loafer bosses that it's time to sit down and listen for a change to First Nations opponents of controversial energy projects.
With its profound decision in favour of the Tsilhqot'in people in B.C.'s north-central interior, the high court has given Prime Minister Harper his stiffest kick in the pants yet.
Ottawa's bullying tactics on behalf of Oilberta and the two proposed pipeline projects we're tired of hearing about have been radically challenged. With our North Shore proximity to the oil storage tank farm along Burrard Inlet's south shore near Second Narrows, the implications are obvious. From here on, the Tsleil Waututh and Squamish First Nations communities can expect a court-ordered respectful hearing regarding their views of Kinder Morgan's Transmountain expansion. The Big Energy guys never quit though.
Could we stand another Enbridge-style tsunami of paid media hype telling us how great it all is? Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan doesn't think so. Here's a politician with hearing.
Meanwhile, at the local level the pipeline-battle's equivalent in the district has been the orgy of approvals for mega-residential developments despite a wilting quality of life here from too many people and cars. With its latest blessings on Big Growth in Lower Capilano and Lynn Valley, let's pray the damage is over for a while. This developercosy mayor and council have November's upcoming election to think about, not to mention property taxes that are too high, and traffic in Seymour and parking in Deep Cove that are causing nightmares.
In the city, it isn't much better. The giant, viewblocking concrete tub approved as the new art gallery down at Lonsdale Quay shows that Coun. Pam Bookham seems to be the only one with a sense of esthetics on that council.
Realtors say these are some of the reasons why a stream of long-established North Vancouver folks is leaving the area. When local governments fall for the line that you can build your way out of problems, it's as daft as thinking that you can shop your way out of everything.
Real estate sell-outs and big oil are just blips on the radar, however. The real story ahead in B.C. especially is water. Remember last year's hullabaloo over multinational Nestle helping itself to more than 265 million litres of fresh water from the Hope region watershed - a fortune in bottled water sales - without paying a cent for it? Next, public alarm grew over threats to groundwater from increased seismic fracking used to produce liquid natural gas for export. So much for our golden LNG future.
Premier Clark responded with a commitment to protect B.C.'s drinking water sources. The result has been the Water Sustainability Act. It quietly received royal assent on May 29 and is expected to come into force next spring. It promises better protection of water in land use decisions, and of our aquatic environments. A key element is new guidelines for "water pricing." you said it
"They've had a change of policy. They're clearcutting."
West Van homeowner Darlene Holmes blasts B.C. Hydro for cutting a swath of trees under power lines on her property (from a July 4 news story).
"We don't have a real idea who would stoop so low."
North Shore Rescue search manager Doug Pope is baffled by the second theft from a gear cache in a week (from a June 29 news story).
"Like hitting a brick wall."
Marie Helene Tchir recalls during a trial being thrown to the floor and injured when a TransLink bus made a hard brake - she was later awarded $350,000 in damages (from a June 29 news story).
We'll need 'em. Drought in the U.S. is already significantly affecting agriculture and livestock production. Forget wacko climate change deniers, just ask Mom: food prices are rising in consequence. California, Arizona, the mid-west grain belt - they desperately need water.
Now China too has a fullblown water security crisis. It's cited as a major obstacle to continued economic and social development. Individual water usage there is only a quarter of the world average, but because of chronic industrial evasion of environmental regulations, 40 per cent of its surface water is unfit for humans. Even basic supply is critical: Beijing and Shanghai are redlisted as areas of "extreme scarcity." That's just the optimistic government spin: environmental protests are growing nation-wide and there's tension with neighbour states like India over shared water resources.
With seven per cent of global fresh water supply, consider the stress Canadians can anticipate for export of this precious resource. While we're all still thinking about oil pipelines and, understandably, watching the fabulous World Cup, beneath the radar our Canadian landscape is prime for new forms of exploitation and greater ecodeterioration.
On the green upbeat, tireless community organizer Elise Roberts has a terrific lineup for Parks Day, Sat. July 19 at the Heritage Centre, 1620 Mt. Seymour Rd. Free outdoor family nature fun all day. I'll see you there.
And the Wild Bird Trust folks have done an amazing job with the new Corrigan Nature House at Maplewood Conservation Area. Preview is at Return of the Osprey Festival, July 26-27. Gratitude to all these great community workerbees! PoeticLicence.NS@gmail. com
