Letters, Aug. 30: Need to pursue First Nations partnerships

Posted on August 30, 2023

Re: Natural Resource Development is Economic Reconciliation, Opinion, Aug. 26

This column confirms my belief that the path for First Nations to escape the meagre handouts by the federal government, which keep most Indigenous people in a welfare situation rather than a progressive economic position, is exactly what Canadians need to know. Krystle Wittevrongel’s one line: “put more positively, it’s a way for First Nations to reaffirm their autonomy and self-reliance,” says it all.

The federal Liberal government has not met promises and has consistently used noncommittal language to avoid real reconciliation since being elected. Photo ops and words have added up to avoiding real solutions.

We need to acknowledge and support brilliant business proposals brought forward by First Nations people who have joined in partnership with Canadian energy and resource businesses across the country. Our nation relies on these economic benefits and we continue to be leaders in environmental development and change of our resources. Canada is not the sole source of climate change issues, as we well know Russia, China, the United States and others contribute far more pollution, with less concern.

The NeeStaNan trade corridor project is a perfect example of First Nations and Canadian businesses coming together to establish a northern shipping port, which would help solidify Canada’s presence in the Arctic, where Russia and China are already threatening our shores and sovereignty.

Douglas MacLean, Canmore

Net-zero plan ‘ill-conceived’

Re: Net-zero may be the most ill-conceived national project Canada has ever pursued, Opinion, Aug. 19

Tristin Hopper has written about the federal government’s quest to eradicate all emissions by 2050. This exceedingly overtaxed plan is a pipe dream.

The technologies required do not exist. Renewable energies of solar and wind are not direct energy sources, batteries (storage) are required. Are the mines dug for the several rare elements needed to build these?

The federal government seems to have no tolerance for fossil fuels, yet these reliable resources are in demand worldwide.

Somehow the feds feel OK about the chaos that has been created in Canada’s once self-sufficient and abundant energy economy. It now prefers the utopian ideas of the non-scientific elite. Scary, ridiculous and wasteful directions for Canada.

Lorraine Weller, Calgary

Save the money in this boom time

Re: Two new signs of economic resilience, Opinion, Aug. 26

The robust Alberta economy will no doubt produce a bountiful amount of oil and gas royalty income. This is a golden opportunity for the government to show some leadership and follow the example of former premier Peter Lougheed and save some for a rainy day.

We owe it to future generations to save a large chunk of this non-renewal resource revenue for them and the future of our province.