LETTER

LETTRE

 Radioactive dump a done-deal?

 

    Pontiac's MP Sophie Chatel, a Liberal, has announced she would grill the government officials responsible for approving or not the construction of the huge radioactive dump on the Ottawa River at Chalk River. She claimed she would speak for Pontiac residents, most of whom fear this project's approval.  
    However, I was at another affair entirely, in Portage-du-Fort, where she was asked in an informal discussion about her intervention. I believe your newspaper and the more local one from Fort Coulonge was present, so they can testify to the accuracy of my account. Ms Chatel started her comment with this phrase: "We know this project will be approved. What we need to do is make sure our questions are answered and get put into the restrictions governing this project. That's my plan."  (Or something very similar to these words. I am not a reporter!)
    We know it will be approved?  Who is the "we"? The Liberal Party, which supports this Harper-era project? Isn't she appearing before a committee studying the value and safety of this project?  How could it already "be approved"?  
    Is this "hearing" a farce?  Pontiac does not want this project (Pontiac-MRC and most municipalities have voiced their opposition), yet we're going to get it?  
    I have seen many letters to the Bulletin opposing this toxic dump, so do your readers know it is a done-deal?  And will we keep voting for this party?
Ron Powers
Aylmer