Most Kelowna residents won't get the chance to voice their opinion when the Northern Gateway pipeline roadshow comes to town.
Registration for submissions to the hearings was required back in early October.
But you can show up to the Jan. 28 session at the Sandman Hotel and hear what the chosen few have to say when they get their 10 minutes on the soapbox in front of federal environment ministry and National Energy Board officials.
Even those chosen to speak don't yet know who they are, and will only find out shortly before the hearing.
But that doesn't mean you can't make your feelings known. Given widespread opposition to the pipeline project, expect placard-waving protesters outside the hotel. And we welcome your letters to the editor on the subject, whether for or against.
We've gone on record as opposing the pipeline, based mostly on the location of its proposed terminus in Kitimat and the potential for environmental disaster in the narrow and treacherous Douglas Channel.
We still believe the open-water port at Prince Rupert makes much more sense and would alleviate many of the safety concerns.
Mitigating the risks while maximizing the economic benefit is the only way the tide will turn in favour of this project. And even then, it would be an iffy proposition.
The pipeline stands to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the federal and provincial governments and create thousands of jobs.
Even so, without recognition from Enbridge that Kitimat is a poor location, our answer remains No.
- Managing Editor
Jon Manchester