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Don't throw gas on mining boom

Don't throw gas on mining boom Open letter to Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Brad Cathers: This is a very dismaying decision, all the more for hiding it during the election. I cannot politely express the depth of my disappointment and outrage at th

Open letter to Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Brad Cathers:

This is a very dismaying decision, all the more for hiding it during the election. I cannot politely express the depth of my disappointment and outrage at the behind-closed-doors selling out of the Peel River watershed, and the entire planning process with it, to industry.

Sadly, you no longer have my support. I do not support dishonest politics and lies of omission are still dishonest in my book. Where was all this during the election?

Tell me, what kind of infantile moron will ever have faith in any consultation this government undertakes ever again? What kind of cretin will ever believe this government is hearing its citizens when it is patently clear that you are only listening to industry and only in private? The dismissal of democratic process and the integrity of the planning process is just as big an issue as the effect on the Peel watershed.

You have effectively declared war on the democratic process. This is Fentie-ism of the worst kind. Shut down the now worthless superficial farce that you have made the planning process into. Shut down the Klondike office before any more money is wasted. Give the money to the homeless instead. Stop wasting Yukoners’ hard-earned tax dollars on government-sponsored smokescreens for industry.

Look around, Brad. We’re already in a boom. Your job is to moderate and regulate development, not throw gasoline at it. Mining is doing just fine without the Peel. Do you truly expect anyone to take consultation on oil and gas seriously after this?

Pure, intact, wilderness ecosystems are the rarest of things in today’s world, to our collective detriment. I now believe you would support rainforest deforestation. Your postage-stamp protected areas don’t cut it. You and your government’s evasions and electoral dishonesty don’t cut it.

I expected far better.

Pete Neilson

Braeburn