LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Tatshenshini video would be good

From coast to coast, Canada has never known such mineral wealth from combined copper, gold, silver and cobalt reserves as that which is indicated in the northwest corner of British Columbia.

The investment, exploration and mineral development communities of the world have witnessed the unconscionable use of political and bureaucratic power to discount revenue potential from proven reserves of about $8.7 billion (including about $1.3 billion in provincial and federal taxes) to about $1.2 million per year from probable and seasonal tourism revenues. A 9,600-sq.-km wilderness park, hosting uniquely immense mineral resource potential, has resulted from an Order in Council passed in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 15, 1993. Expert and independent assessment indicates that an additional $40 billion in mineral resource potential was also rescinded. Moreover, aboriginal interests were not taken into account at the time of passage and the northernmost possible Canadian deep-water port location, at Tarr Inlet, was impounded for the common good.

Northern British Columbia portrays Canadian mineral wealth at its best and has served as the setting for many colorful tales of high-risk exploration, discovery, social contest and political debate. As a result of attempts, on various levels, to consecrate the Tatshenshini-Alsek region as a world heritage site, northwestern British Columbia has attracted an international audience.

The public has the right to understand the implications of last year’s decision cents made by the British Columbia government, according to which the Windy Craggy copper project was expropriated so that the property could be made part of a provincial park encompassing the Haines Triangle]. These implications include: creation of uncertainty; forfeiture of political stability; veto of private-sector projects; and the consequences of intervention by foreign governments and international institutions. Our communities need to be informed of the profoundly adverse environment for responsible resource management that exists in Canada.

With this in mind, myself and others are proposing to capture the public’s attention with a documentary video of the Tatshenshini-Alsek region. First, we propose that funding be raised for a modest pilot project that would involve location filming and interviews with experts. From this pilot project, a complete documentary could be funded, involving a high-profile narrator, professional editing and visual presentation of salient facts through interviews with a wide range of experts. The final documentary may be 30 minutes in length, and edited to 15 minutes for airing on a prominent public affairs television program.

For a modest sum of $50,000, the pilot project can be completed and circulated. Entitled The Tale of the Tatshenshini, the video will help improve the mining industry’s image both in Canada and around the world. This is a nonprofit venture and we invite interested readers to contact us and assist us in funding. — James Lewis (604) 576-6379, and J.D. Mason (416) 777-7054, Toronto