Open letter to Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Environment Mary Polak.
Over four weeks ago 33,000 litres of jet fuel was dumped into out rivers systems out here in the hinterlands. Not sure if you heard about it yet. There was brief message from Mary, she may visit the site in September — seven weeks after the spill.
I thought you should know that British Columbia citizens are still not able to live in their homes, their water has been contaminated, the jet fuel clean up on the shores and river was never completed and the data collected is in question.
The company, Executive Flight Centre, responsible for the accident has determined that since all BC regulations have been met, they are done. It is truly amazing they could complete their work in such a short time. Although it appears that they have missed some areas. They suggested that volunteers could do the follow up work.
Those citizens who have been misplaced or have damaged water are paying out of pocket for their expenses. They may have to source new water systems. Since you are our leaders, I thought it was your responsibility to help or intervene on our behalf, reassure us that you even know about the situation and offer interim financial help. Can you call Executive Flight Centre? Maybe with your elevated status they will respond. We seem to get nowhere. Now, maybe they have called you, maybe the oil pipeline industry, even Enbridge, asked you to keep this under the radar, we have big plans for BC and this could damage our case.
I have tried to call your offices over the last few weeks and you have really efficient secretaries, actually rude, who will not let me even speak to anyone. I have to write a letter addressed to no one in particular.
We have been under many official orders lately, here is my order to you two. Get on the telephone to Executive Flight Centre, make a public statement to acknowledge you have even heard about the spill, release that message to all media, especially those towns, communities that have proposed pipelines, get out the cheque book to offer interim help and do what elected official do, help their citizens.
I await your reply.
Glenda Patterson
Slocan Park