"I challenge my fellow Kamloops - South Thompson candidates, Todd Stone and Tom Friedman, to make the same clear and unambiguous statement!"

Today my campaign team and I put together the following Media Release, which was sent out to radio, newspaper, and TV here in Kamloops.

The voters of Kamloops - South Thompson will soon make their choice for MLA.  But who will stand up for the best interests of this riding?  

 

Will it be Liberal Todd Stone voting with the docile herd according to the direction of the party whips?  Or NDP Tom Friedman, tied to a party beholden to big union interests?  Or a clear alternative; Peter Sharp of the BC Conservatives. 

 

"Kamloops South needs an MLA who will speak his mind, and represent the best interests of the voters who have elected him -- even if that runs counter to the stated position of the party." stated Kamloops - South Thompson BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp. 

 

"I have personally received an assurance from party leader John Cummins, while in Kamloops, that he expects his MLA’s to vote according to their constituents wishes." Sharp continued.

 

John Cummins is also on the record (Vancouver Sun - May 3) saying: “You put your constituents ahead of the party. Manning used to tell us that. It’s the folks at home that elect you. You’ve got to put their interests ahead of the party.  I believed that; I still do.” 

 

Continued Sharp, "The position my party takes is clear; you should have Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA's) who listen to you, first and foremost.  I have a leader who backs that up 100 percent."

"I believe John Cummins and I will take him at his word ... I will look after the concerns of my constituents over that of the party."

Kamloops South BC Conservative Peter Sharp

In a recent issue of Kamloops This Week, columnist Dale Bass took the position that no politician works in the best interests of their constituents, but instead slavishly follows the party line. 

Given recent political practice, it is not hard to see where such blatant cynicism comes from.  Nevertheless, the “tarred with same brush” approach is inherently unfair to those politicians who do genuinely work hard, often behind the scenes, for those they represent. 

I was recently asked what one change I would make if elected. This is what I had to say.

"…it would be to show the people of Kamloops South Thompson that government
really  can represent them.  We now have more and more people becoming apathetic,
and who no longer believe it makes any difference if they vote or not."

"I want them to see that they can have input into the decision making
process, and that government really can be accountable to them.”

 

With regard to the Ajax Mine project, I had a lengthy discussion with party leader John Cummins over how I, as a potential Conservative MLA, could (and should) handle the issue.  Here is my summary of that conversation:John Cummins told me that I should tell my constituents that when the environmental reports are released, to definitely consult with all constituents to seek their input. From the beginning, that is exactly what I have said I will do. 

I will not only do it on this issue, I will do it on any major issue of concern to the people of Kamloops South Thompson!"

I believe John Cummins and I will take him at his word.  I can state truthfully that I will do just that, I will look after the concerns of my constituents over that of the party.

Here is what I plan to do. I am going to trust in the process

The concerns Kamloops residents have regarding their health, and the health of our community ... and ensuring we do everything possible to maintain and project our environment ... are high on the mind of many people in the area; people from all walks of life.

This of course is due to the AJAX mine proposal, which has been under discussion for some time.

For anyone interested, there is an organization called the Association for MineralExploration British Columbia and a lot of general information regarding the benefits of mines in BC can be found there.

As I mentioned in a commentary, I posted online March 11th ("I'm still not anexpert, but I'm willing to learn"), I attended a public forum in Kamloops which was hosted by Kamloops Moms for Clean Air. 

This led me to meet with one of the staff members at KGHM International, Jean-Paul Salley (External Affairs Specialist), to talk about the AJAX mine project.

Again as I mentioned on March 11th, I'm no expert, but I did fill another several pages with notes from my discussion with Jean-Paul.

At the moment, the proponents are in the process of working towards satisfying the application process for environmental standards, and there are a total 41 valued components which must be met.

In meeting with Jean-Paul I had a strong sense, and feeling, of sincerity when he spoke to a belief in responsible development, and that the project must be done responsibly. 

As Jean-Paul Sallery said to me, "KGHM International is committed long-term, to this project, and the community.  I can assure you that all activities will be done responsibly, in keeping with the company's ethos and legacy." 

That, I think, is one of the reasons why KGHM International has their doors open to meaningful dialogue regarding the mine project.

I also asked about what kind of thresholds would be looked at, not just by the mine proponents, but by those who will be involved at the provincial and federal levels, in doing the environmental assessment studies. As I suspected, the threshold levels will be much higher.  That's because of the mines proximity to the city of Kamloops.

In layman's terms, that sounds to me like a higher level of accountability and scrutiny.

Should the mine clear the environmental assessment, conducted by both the BC Environmental Assessment Authority and their Federal counterparts, there will be a number of checks and balances put in place.  Furthermore, each agency will conduct its' own investigational study, and make recommendations to their respective level of government.

I'm all for that!

This will provide the opportunity for a distinct separation of powers.  It will also see the best minds coming together, in an educated conclusion, either for -- or against -- the AJAX project.

Look ... I have to tell you, I don't know if the AJAX mine proposal is one that should go ahead in our community.  Here's what I do know; all we have at the moment is raw data.  There is nowhere near enough information, on which to base a decision, on what will be a VERY IMPORTANT choice for the people of our city.

PETER SHARP; "I'm still not an expert, but I'm willing to learn"

As many of you may have noted from posts I made to social media over the weekend, I attended Sunday's forum, put on by the Kamloops Mothers for Clean Air, which was held in the Parkside Lounge at Interior Savings Centre.  

Along with myself, there were about 300 plus people attending, ready to hear what the two guest speakers from Salt Lake City, Utah had to say.  



Speakers Cherise Udell and Dr. Brain Moench

They both provided a Power Point presentation, and spoke well, explaining their position - and objections - to the Rio Tinto Mine located in the area of their city.  This then led to a discussion of the reasons why residents of Kamloops should not have a mine near the City of Kamloops.  

Dr. Brian Moench told us all that he had suffered with two bouts of cancer, his wife had cancer and his daughter had a double mastectomy.  You couldn't help but feel sorry for his situation. 

What I am about to say now, in no way negates anything he had to say, however I (and perhaps others) did wonder about one thing in particular after he spoke; why he hasn't yet moved away from the area, with all the health issues that he and his family have suffered.  I don't recall him saying whether or not his families health problems, were a result of the mine location near his home.  

That said, he had a lot of information for us, and he came across very professional, and very qualified.

The founder of Utah Moms for Clean Air, Cherise Udell, clearly indicated to the audience that she gave no quarter to the Rio Tinto mining company near, or next to, the Salt Lake.  She started Moms for Clean Air five years ago because of an absolute need to promote healthy air quality for children, seniors, and the sick.

This Friday I'll be meeting with officials from AJAX Mine, where I'll have the opportunity to learn more about their proposal for Kamloops.

Anyway, I have to say that I'm glad I attended Sunday's forum, which was hosted by the former Editor of the Kamloops Daily News and the former Mayor of the City of Kamloops, Mel Rothenberger.  

It definitely gave me another perspective on the Ajax Mine proposal for Kamloops, and a lot more information to consider.  One things for sure, I'm still not an expert, but I'm willing to learn. 

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops!

I'm Peter Sharp -- I'm a BC Conservative -- and I BELIEVE in BC!