Editor:
I am writing in reference to my letter to Coast Garibaldi Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Martiquet, which was printed in your newspaper Sept. 12.
I asked him who was responsible for safeguarding coastal communities from the health and environmental impacts of the expansion of the coal terminal at LaFarge on Texada Island.
I was pleased to receive a prompt reply from Dr. Martiquet in which he agreed that my concerns were valid and supported my call for a health and environmental impact assessment. He told me that responsibility lies with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and I have since re-directed my concerns to Minister Bill Bennett.
However, I was discouraged to hear from Dr. Martiquet that on Sept. 13, he, as well as his supporting colleagues (chief medical officers of the Fraser Health Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority) had already sent a letter to Ed Taje of the Ministry. In that letter Dr. Martiquet voiced all of my concerns and more and called for a Health Impact Assessment before the project moved forward.
I was appalled to hear from Dr. Martiquet that he never even received a reply!
Not providing a response to legitimate health concerns, especially from health officers whose duty it is to protect the public, is not what I call taking responsibility.
So, I ask again: Who is taking responsibility for the health and environmental welfare of Texada Island and coastal communities?
Mary Lock, Gillies Bay
