One indisputable fact: the mine is too close

LETTER — Another insulting propaganda piece from KGHM, the video Ajax Project – The Conversation, features Yves Lacasse pleading for “conversation.”

We are already deeply aware that Kamloops is a beautiful city, that we come from here and near and far, that kids play, dogs romp, and sometimes there is snow.

KGHM hangs the university’s head of trades and technology out to dry. A worried local woman spins fear mongering for KGHM, proclaiming that if a project like Ajax doesn’t happen, Kamloops will stall.

Not so! We have a diverse, strong economic foundation. Would you, Ms. King, have us sacrifice our healthy, livable community for a few jobs and a financial pittance?

KGHM has had many opportunities for “conversations”: its controlled open houses and information workshops where concerned residents asked thoughtful, straightforward questions and received no answers.

At a City council meeting Mr. Lacasse asked us to trust him and promised information would be provided. That was a year ago. Where is the information? KGHM has avoided participating in public presentations organized by our community where conversation is open and robust.

Lacasse says he wants to keep talking, “it’s what neighbours do.” KGHM is not our “neighbour.” It is a profit-seeking industry wanting to operate a polluting, energy-draining, water-hogging, noisy, dusty, open-pit mine in Kamloops.

If you want to “have an honest conversation about the science, about KGHM’s commitment to build a responsible mine,” Mr. Lacasse, don’t spout a ‘folksy’ load of trite platitudes and meaningless rhetoric.

We, the people who call Kamloops home, care about our community, the lives and health of residents, our reputation as a hospitable city for business, tourists, athletes, families.

KGHM refused long ago to discuss the number one indisputable fact: the mine is too close to this established, thriving city of 90,000. We will not be guinea pigs!

TRISH KEEGAN

Kamloops