Dear editor,
Water issues here in the Comox Valley are nothing new and the recent proposal for a water bottling plant in Merville is just the latest water issue to receive public attention and scrutiny.
I find it appalling that in her statements, NDP MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard supports the granting of a groundwater license through a process that lacked any public consultation, public notices, public hearings or support from the CVRD.
Would MLA Leonard support such a process if it was conducted under a Liberal government?
I doubt it very much.
It’s been reported that when confronted with concerns about the risk of neighbour drinking supplies going dry, the water bottling plant proponent replied that people “would just have to understand it.” These comments are at the very least tone deaf and do nothing to achieve a social license from the affected community.
I fully support the CVRD’s Electoral Areas Service Committee recommendation to refer the rezoning application for further review and study on any potential long-term effects on the surrounding watershed. I would urge the public to stay fully engaged on this issue and demand full transparency on the decision making going forward. After all, sunlight is always the best disinfectant.
John Snyder, Fanny Bay