OCTOBER 2014 BCBusiness 23 BCBusinEss.Ca
In the Black
An oil refinery in B.C. would add depth
to the economy ("Lunch With David
Black," August '14), especially one that
was designed using modern principles
and able to rapidly reconfigure for dif-
ferent feed stocks and processes, which
can be developed into products like
wax, asphalt or motor oil. But I'm not
convinced that Kitimat is the best place
for such a refinery, or that exports are
the highest mandate. Innovation is
likely to drive a much higher return
over time. I am, however, glad to see
Mr. Black putting this concept into
play as it can change up the kind of
conversation we are having.
Steven Forth
Vancouver
Counting Cars
Thank you for this exceptionally
thoughtful piece ("Highway to Hell,"
August '14) that lays out the true issues
that underlie our typically fruitless
debates on the subject of transit and
transportation. These are the tools we
need to build the consensus that can
get us out of the utter rut in which we
find ourselves. I really hope this piece
is widely read and disseminated; the
quality of debate we are able to have
on this subject will surely dictate the
outcome of the upcoming referendum
the province has cruelly thrown our way.
Jonathan Morissette
Vancouver
Pipeline Problems
While the federal government may
have approved Northern Gateway,
the project still faces huge obstacles
and this is a long way from being built
("Feds Approve Northern Gateway,"
BCBusiness.ca/natural-resources). Envi-
ronmental groups will no doubt make
noise, but the strongest opposition will
be from First Nations. The Supreme
Court has recently confirmed (again)
the duty of governments to consult and
accommodate First Nations' concerns
when impacted by natural resource
projects. As some 45 First Nations com-
munities will be directly affected by
Northern Gateway, this project will be
tied up in court for years to come.
David Brown
Vancouver
Railways Versus Gardens
First off, the consultation's already been
done ("How Vancouver could have
avoided the CP debacle: Kirk LaPointe,"
BCBusiness.ca/manufacturing-trans
port). It resulted in the Arbutus Corri-
dor Official Development Plan, which is
a plan for how the area will be used in
the future. But sure, let's say that it'll be
a breeze to change the
ODP in 100 days.
No biggie.
Fundamentally, this plan only works
if the "fair" valuation ends up close to
the $100 million that CP wants. Say, for
example, that step number 1 results in a
plan similar to the existing
ODP: that it
be used as a transportation corridor and
greenway. Step number 2 of the process
then identifies a "fair" price as $50 mil-
lion or less. CP, still holding out for $100
million, refuses to sell and tells the city
to take a hike. The stalemate continues
and nothing has been accomplished.
More likely, the public consultation
and independent assessment are used to
justify meeting CP's price and/or allow-
ing development along the corridor and
everyone's distrust of politicians grows
just a teensy bit deeper, if that's possible.
Neal Yonson
Vancouver
@Phanyxx (August 6)
The August issue of @bcbusiness is fan-
tastic. Can't remember the last time I
enjoyed a physical mag this much.
@rthexton (August 7)
Love "My Big Idea" (Aug. '14) in
@bcbusiness. Here is today's: "Younger
feedback
y
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