Dear Editor:
I am a vet and tradesman, who has worked many years in the mining, oil and construction trades. I don’t usually voice any political opinions, except when I feel that Canadians are being abused. For that, “I will stand on guard for thee.”
The B.C. provincial and the federal government went into an unusual agreement with Chinese-owned HD mining at Tumbler Ridge.
As reported on CBC websites, the demand was for foreign Chinese workers to start and run the mine for 4.5 years, after which Canadians would only be allowed to apply at the mine at 10 per cent a year of the labour force.
This simply means that no Canadians will be allowed to work at the mine, and that it will take 14.5 years for Canadians to be fully employed. This program also has us subsidizing foreign workers with tax dollars.
Can you imagine an unemployed family in Tumbler Ridge hearing this news, knowing that they have been cast aside by their own governments and not allowed to apply for a job at this mine in their own province?
This is B.C., folks. Thankfully, two unions stood up against this atrocity against Canadians and had to fight our own governments in court.
Once the facts were out and people started asking their political officials questions, the agreement has been postponed. Only postponed.
Go and look at the news stories yourself. There are many Canadians who would love to get into a mining career.
Let’s get training connected to social programs and get citizens working. Soon we will all be working on minimum wage to compete with foreign workers.
Look up the phone number of your MLA and MP and voice your opinion.
Protect our great country.
J. Warley
Peachland