Harvard researchers say that habitat destruction by illegal loggers could mean the extinction of orangutans within 10 to 20 years. Orangutans live only in Indonesia and Malaysia. While the government of Indonesia has a commitment to protect the orangutans, the loggers return when the police leave.
AR
The Gazette, Montreal. September 30, 2003
EXTINCTION
Primates
Indonesia
There is a danger in yakking about geese, existensialism and Noranda. nrcan.gc.ca agnico-eagle.com
There's another matter, Mr. Chairman, with respect to my riding, which is of great interest locally. That is the Valhalla proposal, as it's known. It involves the chain of mountains across from Slocan Lake. A proposal has been put forward to designate it a wilderness area. It's one of the last and most beautiful untapped areas within close striking distance of Nelson, Trail, and Revelstoke to the north. The Slocan Lake itself is perhaps one of the most unpolluted lakes left in the interior, too, and the proposal is that the whole mountain chain on the far side of the lake be designated wilderness to prevent logging and mining in that area, at least at a certain elevation. I would like the minister's assessment, or some statement from the minister, as to what his attitude is towards the submission that has been made on that proposal.
Thirdly, Mr. Chairman, a new mine is planned about 54 miles north of the city of Revelstoke. I think it's by Noranda, at Goldstream. It's a copper and zinc mine, I believe. Development has been reported as being very imminent. I'm concerned that the tailings from that mine not be deposited in Goldstream, which is one of the main tributaries of the Columbia River. I'm concerned that no steps be taken to dam the Goldstream River to accommodate either a water source for the mine or a power source. I've heard some rather ominous rumours that that type of plan is in the wind, so I would appreciate the minister commenting and at least advising me whether he's had any representations to the effect. that Goldstream might be dammed or not.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would appreciate the minister responding to a question I asked the other night regarding the letter he received from Mr. Klaus Ohlemann. I don't want to belabour this matter any further. Perhaps my terminology offended the minister the other night when I asked him to comment on the propriety of the letter coming from someone in his staff. I used the word the "morality" of it. Perhaps I shouldn't have used that word. I think it would have been more appropriate if I had asked him for his views on the ethics of someone in his department commenting on the political affiliation of fellow workers in his department. I would appreciate the minister's own comment on that question.
HON. MR. NIELSEN: To the member for Revelstoke-Slocan, I'm afraid you brought up three or four very specific concerns. With your concurrence, I'll certainly reply to you in detail as the information is gathered. Some of this requires very specific information.
The copper-zinc mine: we're not aware of any such proposal at this moment. We'll certainly check it out for you.
An inventory study by the Forest Service is underway in the Valhalla area.
Relative to the Gerard Bridge, it has been brought to my attention. I have spoken with the Minister of Highways (Hon. Mr. Fraser) and the Minister of Recreation and Conservation (Hon. Mr. Bawlf) as well. I understand there is no decision at this time to build a bridge, or upgrade or improve the road. But again, I could respond to you in more detail.
Your last question: I responded to you that I felt that action by a member of the civil service of communicating in this manner to anyone -particularly to an elected representative, the press, whatever - is, in my mind, very questionable. The member mentioned "morality" last night, and I must agree with him and I thought perhaps it wasn't a proper thing. You wonder whether I consider it ethical? I would say I do not consider it ethical.
(I don't know what Leslie Neilsen was doing commenting in the legislature about issues. He must have been taking a break from doing movie farces and moved on to the greater comedy/tragedy of political farces.) |
