30 July 2004

The Expropriation of Nanoose Bay - THE COMMENTARY

By Joseph Planta

Glen Clark ruffled the Federal Governments feathers with his handling of the B.C. Fishery crisis back in 1997 and since then hasn’t been on their good side. What seemed like a good bargaining chip for Clark has turned into a PR nightmare and a public embarrassment.

Nanoose Bay is a seabed off the coast of Vancouver island that has been used by both the U.S. and Canadian navies for torpedo testing. They have both used that area since 1965 and as the current lease expires Ottawa came a calling and tried to negotiate a new deal. The NDP government in its arrogant and unabashed way, called for the Feds to ask The Americans to guarantee no nuclear war material would pass through the seabed. Ottawa offered to pay $4-Million dollars a year for the lease, which up to this time they had only paid $1.00, but B.C. wanted that reassurance, plus a little punishment for their over fishing of B.C.’s fish stocks. The reassurance Glen Clark wanted was not something the Federal Government wanted to ask the U.S. for and with Clark’s further stubbornness, The Federal Government refused to negotiate further and has now decided to expropriate the seabed.

Glen Clark’s sheer arrogance in this matter is absolutely reprehensible. The Feds are no better either. In dealing with Liberal schlocks, like the ones in power now, Clark has to know that slow and steady wins the race. His pompous and presumptuous behavior has gotten what he deserves, but it is certainly hurting British Columbians. The Federal Government is doing to B.C. what it would not dare do to Ontario or Quebec. Why us?, well we’re B.C. and Glen Clark is our premier.

Glen Clark could have used the estimated $100 Million dollars plus it would be getting from the lease and use it to do something useful for B.Cers. Who knows it could buy him some votes? The failed Convention Centre project here in Vancouver could have been a redeeming point for him, but no, Clark and his goons had to take the low road and bully the Feds. When you bully a Liberal, they’ll just bully you right back, and Glen, we’ll Nanoose doesn’t even belong to you anymore. Both parties in this dispute are damned ignorant idiots. The Federal Government should not be expropriating this seabed, but then again Glen Clark shouldn’t be so arrogant in its demands. I’m sure if the NDP asked nicely and asked for something that was actually doable, B.C. would be better off. Now the province is broke and we won’t have that money to kick around, B.Cers are stuck with Glen Clark, we look like fools in front of the nation and the Federal Liberals are on their power trip to oblivion.

Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca

An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .