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Party politics are prevailing at CRD on sewage issue

Rejection of scientists' findings made no sense in the 1990s or today

Re: SEWAGE IN THE CRD: U.S. neighbours impatient over sewage scenario

What credentials does Mr. Harcourt have to give him any credibility to label the work of six marine scientists as “ambivalent at best” and “bizarre?” His comments are factually insignificant political opinions. I challenge Harcourt to show where in the B.C.-Washington study that scientists were conflicted in their conclusion that the effect of Victoria’s sewage discharges on the Juan de Fuca Strait is negligible.

His inability or unwillingness, then and still, to accept the work of six experts in their field might explain the Capital Regional District’s bizarre handling of the sewage file.

The NDP is heavily represented at the CRD, an institution which has done some great work for our communities. However, with sewage, all NDP elected representatives in the region are in lock step in not embracing the overwhelming scientific evidence against this project to replace our existing world-class treatment system.

Ben Isitt emphasized his disregard for the evidence with his colourful insult that CRD citizens are “living like pigs.” Similarly, Judy Brownoff, citing CRD studies, spoke in support of a joint claim by three environmental groups that our outfalls cause vast fecal coliform contamination of our waterfront. In fact, a 13-year CRD study determined that such contamination did not exist. The group’s claim was later found to be a hoax.

Is it blind adherence to party dogma to protect a fact-challenged former party leader that’s behind the CRD’s drive to saddle us taxpayers with an unneeded multi-billion dollar sewage project?

Brian Burchill

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