Sacrificing much for the national interest
KAMLOOPS — Like you, I’ve heard most of the Trans Mountain pipeline arguments from both sides. I’ve watched and listen to the pre-sanitized sound bites from the politicians as well as corporate and environmental special interest groups. And I’ve paid attention to the investment numbers, the job stats, the fossil fuel addiction numbers and the climate change forecasts.
However, last week Ottawa introduced a new and stark two-worded talking point and has been using it at every opportunity since. Suddenly pipelines are, according to James Carr, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, in the ‘national interest.’
It’s a bold statement and those two words can come with some pretty serious connotations. They are words that imply the need for sacrifices; without them, our nation’s future could be in jeopardy.
Listening to Mr. Carr reminded me of someone I met last month – someone, who along with others, has been asked to make that sacrifice on your behalf. Not, it would appear, simply in the name of oil but instead in the name of our shared national interest.