Letters to the editor

When in grade ten, I did a research project on Spirit Bears, and in Grade 11, my Geography class made a trip into Nakusp to see the wild growth rain forest.

I was enthralled with what I learned and observed in those ventures.

I am also familiar with the coastal growth through various trips, and I know that there are many species and locations I haven't seen that are even more majestic and important to our ecosystems.  Some, like the Spirit Bear, are threatened to the point of near extinction.

We have many species of flora and fauna unique to our coast, and a rich cultural heritage as well.  To see it harmed, and in some places effectively destroyed, for profitable gain through a non-renewable energy project is, in my opinion, a dismal failure of our government to protect our nation's most important interests.

Especially by a company such as Enbridge with such a poor rap sheet in the past; over 800 spills in 11 years, many which were not cleaned up to the proper degree (if such a thing exists).

I implore you, on behalf of my country, my province, and my children's children, to protect our natural resources and to immediately stop using them as if they were inexhaustible and can just "grow back" - because they cannot.

I did vote Conservative, but I can assure you, most wholeheartedly, that I will rethink my votes in the future if this disgusting and greed-fuelled project goes through.

I simply cannot believe I even had to write this letter; it should have been an immediate, emphatic no!

Ashleigh LaPlante