22 August 2010
Dear Editor
North Renfrew Times
Deep River, ON
Letter to Editor
Please find attached my article titled “The Liberal Express and Nuclear indusry ” for your publication under your “Letter to Editor” section .
Many Thanks
Pravin Shah
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21 August 2010
The ” Liberal Express ” and Nuclear Industry
It came and went. That is the ” Liberal Express ” by which the Federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff goes around the country to connect with the Canadians. The bus came on time on Monday 9 August 2010 to join the ‘Corn Roast” hosted by Ms. Christine Tabbert , the local Liberal candidate for the upcoming (who knows when) Federal election, at her family farm in the area.
The day turned out to be bright and sunny – a change from previous cloudy and rainy couple of days. The “bag pipe” along with live band music kept all entertained . This brought lots of fun to some 500 people who attended the ‘Corn roast” and meet with the Federal Liberal leader, his charming wife and other Liberal bigwigs.
Connect he did . This was an excellent moment for Mike Ignatieff to come close to the Canadian people – especially to see the farm in the area full of corn field and many Holstein cows . He talked about the rural folks and the divide between rural and urban Canada. He mentioned that the Liberal Party is developing a national food policy that will promote Canadian-grown produce.
The Federal leader did not say much about the nuclear industry in the area.
There were folks (who attended the “Corn Roast”) who were keen to know what is the Liberal policy regarding the nuclear science and industry in Canada. They were a bit disappointed including myself. This industry is pride of Canada – the industry which by its research and development over last many years have brought medical breakthroughs (diagnostic isotopes etc), electricity generation , material sciences etc. The industry supports some 30000 high quality jobs in Canada – even when it is limping to survive.
The nuclear industry is at a cross-road in Canada when there is a tremendous upsurge in the industry around the world . Our Canada is falling behind and very badly.
So far what is happening is just posturing by various powers-to-be . We have our local MP ( a conservative – a member of the ruling party) ) who seems always collecting ” petition” ballots – but how long will this continue. Really we do not need ballots from local populace which is already sold to nuclear power – as the industry resides in local area and generate much economic development .
I do appreciate the effort but really I have not yet fathomed the usefulness of this .The Conservative Party is in power since last few years and many independent studies have suggested the need for the revival of the nuclear science and technology in the country.
They can spend more than a billion dollars on security for G8/G20 summits but cannot invest in real asset like nuclear industry which will keep on giving . Why so much dilly-dallying? What gives?
Even Liberal Party is taking time to come out with clear policy when we need some morale boosting in the industry. It is a no-brainer but it seems all are just posturing and seem lost. Is the Nuclear Industry such a complicated industry? Why the powers-to-be cannot understand the intricacies, nuances and usefulness of its many researches and knowledge for the security and well-being of the country.
Has the nuclear industry failed to bring to light many success stories and much contribution to Canadians? The nuclear regulations and care that goes behind the operation of the industry is world renowned .
I hope that the ” Liberal Express ” bus which recently brought the Federal Liberal leader (Michael Ignatieff) to our area has become instrumental in igniting the Canadian leadership to the plight and sorry state of nuclear industry in Canada and would jog him to take bold step and make decisive policy statement for the revival of the industry. Otherwise for us the ‘ Liberal Express ” will remain as ” it came and went”.
Pravin Shah