Pipelines for oil
Inadequate oil transportation for Canada’s energy market, namely, the 1974 rejection of the McKenzie Valley pipeline and the recent Keystone pipelines, cost Canada billions of dollars.
Out of necessity we need to heat our homes six months per year and we face major transportation challenges simply because of the geography of our country.
Yet we are only responsible for .05 percent of the pollution generated globally. We are not the problem. If all Canadians chose to make sacrifices for the betterment of nature , a positive effect would evolve.
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The global effect would be negative because we are one of the most ethical and environmentally, responsible producers of energy in the world. The U.S. has more than three million kilometres of liquid petroleum and natural gas pipeline. Included is the 48-inch pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, transporting thousands of barrels of crude daily to American refineries, using marine-going large tankers, going down the Pacific coast to American refineries daily.
The U.S. has no problem drilling for oil in the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic or the Gulf of Mexico, yet some Americans have the audacity to condemn Canada for mining our own oilsands in the North. Contrary to popular belief, oil sands bring no environment threat to global life, therefore Canadian pipelines must be constructed to deliver our natural resources to market.
The Fort McMurray oil fields will generate $1.5 trillion. There is potential for 500,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country. Thus we had better elect government people who understand the value of our natural resource and make Canada a debt-free nation.
Having oil in the ground does not bring us prosperity, and not being able to develop it, market it, ship it through a pipeline and sell it at world price will make us poor.
Canadians deserve better. So think about it — what kind of Canada do you want to leave your children?
John Seierstrad
Tisdale, Sask.
Change for the worse
We have just celebrated, commemorated, slept through Canada’s 149 birthday. I pray that I can live long enough to see and hear the 150th.
The few reminders of change are:
How long did it take to increase my Canada Pension and Old Age Security by $40 a month? Ten years?
With one swipe of the pen, medication went up $5 a prescription and prescriptions $40.
So much for comfort.
I’ve driven Canadian roads since 1947. Today, it’s more dangerous on the highway than a pasture full of angry bulls.
Immigrants in the early 20th century knew that hard work was their salvation. They grew and produced their own food, shelters and furniture.
Much of this was possible because they lived in their own environment with family for support. If necessary, they moved to a more favourable environment. Today’s immigrant does not have the same freedom of choice. Today’s immigrant is made to live like everybody else. This is an illusion. If you can’t adapt, what then?
Politicians are almost interested in your opinion, then upon election they tell you what the party leader thinks you should do.
The only place people congregate is at sports and rallies. Did you ever attempt a friendly neighborly conversation at one of these?
What are we doing to and with the aged and ill? Are we concerned with their welfare or our own comforts?
E.O. Oystreck
Yorkton, Sask.
