Editor:
On the day Coast Reporter printed seven opinions regarding the $2.5-billion fixed link, the National Post noted that Canada’s Transport Minister, Marc Garneau, discussed a federal $10-billion, 10-year infrastructure spend, with estimated provincial and private funds matching to total $60 billion.
Apportioning $60 billion by GDP (or population) suggests approximately $8 billion for B.C. The proposed Sunshine Coast fixed link is 33 per cent of the B.C. (and four per cent of the country’s) spend. Impressive! This dwarfs the “free coffee and doughnut” payoff of other local investments. Someone knows something. Is there gold in them thar Elphinstone hills? Better buy now!
Mother Nature, along with those who accepted the trade-offs, made the Coast a unique and fabulous place. What self-absorbed, inconsiderate selfishness drives people to want to change it? “Linkers” could be pragmatic; there are over 200 towns in B.C. and Alberta that are smaller than Sechelt, all with incredible linkages; why not move there instead of waiting for a bridge? I’m confident some locals will offer to help you pack, gratis!
Link it and it will be gone.
Alan Donenfeld, Gibsons
