Before we get down to the business at hand, let me introduce you to Christina Lake and its people. Christina Lake is a small community of approximately 1,600 people, nestled in the Kootenays. It is a vacation destination for thousands around the world each year and is often referred to as an “Oasis in the Kootenays” or the “Jewel of the Kootenays.”
While both of these descriptions paint a flattering picture of this area, they do not even begin to scratch the surface of the natural beauty surrounding one of the warmest inland lakes in Canada. Nor do they give one an idea of the diverse, talented, innovative and gentle people who reside here. Active retirees through young families, all from diverse backgrounds, make their home and thrive here. Despite the diversity, there is a common link that joins all residents throughout the region:  making the most of our natural resources and preserving the beauty, purity and livability of our environment. To the residents of the area and region, “reduce, reuse, recycle” is not just a slogan, it is a way of life. While many large centers are just now implementing curbside recycling, we have had that for years. This is just one small example of the progressive and caring nature of the environmentally minded people who live here.
It is with the above thought in mind that I will move on to the matter at hand. Four months ago, local residents were alerted to a new business venture proposed to settle here. “A recycling center is considering building a facility here,” we were told. Considering the ecologically minded community, the apparently benign nature of facility, and the jobs created you can imagine the excitement. Unfortunately the enthusiasm was very short lived.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the “Recycling Center” was really a full-scale gasification plant bent on transporting 100,000+ tons of toxic and hazardous waste into our region annually from as far away as southern California, and then more from across western Canada, for processing here. At this point the reactions were very mixed. Some were in shock while others started to wonder if someone wasn’t playing a cruel joke on us. “Who in their right mind would use thousands of gallons of fossil fuels to transport tons of toxic wastes over thousands of miles, to be processed in a vacation community located in a valley with a rich and vibrant agricultural base?” Our answer came quickly. It was none other than the Aquilini Investment Group.
While we all know our society creates a great deal of toxic waste that needs to be dealt with; it should be obvious that transporting that waste over great distances is just a bad idea. Accidents happen on our highways daily, and none of us are strangers to hearing of rail accidents and the resultant spills. Placing a plant of this nature in close proximity to major industrial centers certainly makes more sense.
Secondly, we have to look at the shift in our society toward reusing, recycling, and reducing our wastes. As mentioned earlier, it is just part of our way of life here. While we are far from perfect, it has been the vision of our community for years to live in harmony with our natural environment. This facility is just not a good fit for the goals and vision of our community or our region. The dangers are one thing, but beyond that and just as important to many; allowing this facility sends a message to the world and our children that it is acceptable to produce even more toxins rather than find ways to reduce the toxins generated at the source. It is also just as important to preserve the natural beauty of our wilderness areas for future generations.
Like any other community, we need employment. But the nature of the employer needs to fit our vision as stated in the official community plan. History has shown that businesses that have adhered to this vision, thrive. For those that do not, we can look at a few select lots in our small, light industrial zone to see the testament to industries that have tried to open, or have opened but did not fit here. The ghosts of businesses past, lay full testament to the fact that no business plan comes to full fruition or even survives long in a community such as this, when it is contrary to the will of the people.

Lest we forget, supporting a proposal based on promises, however tantalizing they may be, can be a dangerous flirtation. Not too long ago the residents of Wiscasset did so when it supported the building of a nuclear power plant in its town. Although this plant is no longer operating, the town holds the dubious distinction of being the home of a nuclear waste dump.

This is the case, because of promises not kept and a community that relied on verbal assurances; rather than signed guarantees and preposted secured bonds to cover any and all contingencies before approval was given on any level. We would be very wise to learn from others' mistakes. All part of being WELL INFORMED.