Editor:
Re: Silent majority must let Horgan know, letter to the editor, July 7
I am offended by the letter from Dylan Kruger, executive assistant to Delta South MLA Ian Paton, as it points that Paton and the BC Liberals are resorting to Trump-style “fake news” and “alternative facts” in their attempt to support the now $12 billion bridge to replace the George Massey Tunnel.
The term “silent majority” is used by weak politicians to gain public support for a dubious cause; the fact is many people I have talked to in Tsawwassen think the bridge is far too expensive for what it will do and cause gridlock in Richmond.
Kruger attacks on any and all who do not support Christy Clark’s vanity project, using tired cliches about tunnel safety and twinning the tunnel being too expensive.
Kruger’s assertion the new bridge will be fully capable of accommodating rapid transit is outrageous. There are no plans to extend rapid transit on the proposed bridge and there is no funding for such a venture in the foreseeable future. I challenge Kruger to give evidence of a major bridge having rapid transit added many years after it opened, especially a cable-stayed bridge.
Here is a hint: buses are not considered rapid transit.
Freedom of information documents tell a different tale about the proposed bridge and it is not one of tunnel safety or traffic congestion, rather it was intense lobbying by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Fraser Surrey Docks to replace the tunnel with a bridge to expand trade opportunities.
Translation, the ports wanted to deepen the Fraser River to allow Panamax tankers, colliers and bulk carriers. Today the port authority says is will not dredge the Fraser for large vessels because it is too costly, so the reason for replacing the tunnel has vanished.
Malcolm Johnston
