Editor:
I have some questions for the candidates.
In particular, the candidates who are running on the anti-Ajax platform — it would be helpful in the decision-making to know the following:
Recognizing that, in addition to legitimate concerns with the opening of any new mine anywhere there will be unfounded and irrational concerns, why did you think it unnecessary to view the outcome of the federal and provincial assessments before deciding against the project, particularly in light of an economic upside to our city in having the mine?
Would this be the same decision-making process you would use with other city issues?
Understanding world demand for copper will be met and stopping the Ajax mine here will simply mean another mine will go in somewhere else — who do you think is most deserving of that mine?
Where should it go?
In this place you envision the mine going instead of here, do you believe it will be unilaterally welcome?
Again, considering a mine will go in somewhere in place of the Ajax site, how do you think that to be any benefit to the environment?
What do you believe we should learn from Mt. Polley?
Do you believe it it evidence this type of disaster is inevitable?
How do you feel about closure of Highland Valley Copper with its consequence of failure rating extreme compared to the Ajax rating of high?
Or, do you believe Mt. Polley taught us we must improve our monitoring and enforcement ensuring all mines are safe?
In thinking about the risks to people living in close proximity to a mine, should their number be limited?
If so, to how many?
Or, should the decision be based on the probability of mishap rather than the number of people impacted?
For example, if there are concerns for a passenger aircraft’s safety, is it best to ground the plane or simply reduce the number of passengers?
Thank you for your honest and prompt replies in the online comments.
Steve Garner
Kamloops
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