Letter to The Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board
To: Mayor Lois Jackson, Chair Metro Vancouver
Councilor Scott Hamilton, Metro Vancouver Waste Management Committee
Sent Via Email
I am writing in concern about the approaching Metro Vancouver vote on the Solid Waste Management Plan.
I oppose the building of incinerators in the Greater Vancouver area, for oh so many reasons, that I will not enumerate them here. I believe it is a misguided and dangerous strategy that will ultimately harm rather than help the region, and fully support Zero Waste Vancouver’s recommendations that we focus first on effective waste reduction policies.
I am particularly concerned that the board and committee members of the Waste Management Committee may be making the mistake of assuming that because there has not been a massive public outcry against the incinerators, that they in fact support them.
Let’s face it, Canadian democracy is in a shambles and the majority of people, assume that by voting that their needs and interests are going to be taken care of for them by their representatives, and they are not vigilant in ensuring that happens. The incinerator issue has not even been on the radar for most people. Common sense indicates that if they were aware of the issues and controversy surrounding the development of incinerators, that they would oppose the inclusion of them in our waste management strategy.
I feel it is incumbent upon our representatives to bend over backwards to inform the public about all the pros and cons concerning the decision facing the committee and to encourage public involvement in making such a fundamental policy decision.
I have 3 requests:
I request that this letter and my opposition be read into the public record.
I also request that you reject the option of building waste incinerators anywhere in the lower mainland.
I request that you undertake to adopt ambitious, mandatory, and stringently enforced waste reduction policies aimed at removing compostable organics and recyclable materials from our landfills.
