Northgate

[checking]

Oh LEP, I wonder if you realize what you just said about "secrecy", that is the public's business. Seems you would have no problem with anything up to and including a nuclear reactor just outside your backyard property, because you don't want to hear about until it's too late for any public input.

[LEP]

Give me a break. Projects like a nuclear reactor have an
environmental review with public input component.

Last time I checked a grain terminal didn't.

The oil loading facility may have such a requirement, but
now is the time for that not before a location has been
secured. If the co. doesn't secure the proper permits
after a review then they have to change their scope of the
project or unload the land.

[checking]

Secrecy and government dealings, and it ends with a dmlfarmer like post, above. You just agreed to the slippery slope principle.

[oneoff]

Well the issue of an increased tax base starts with the non-existant ratepayer discussion of multi year tax breaks for such developments. That is in place for all that didn't know.

Just another part of no need to discuss issues with the public????.

We are all the way to swallowing the lack of need for anything but appointing a CEO; and getting rid of any need of local talent pretending they have such expertise to direct control of building mega projects and provincial highways.
Smarter souls would ask for some guarantees; default provisions and retaining protection for future competitors who require some access to stategic infrastructure for teir complementary plans.

Those points have not been considered or safeguarded.

Finally; does anyone think that the go ahead hasn't been given for the oil transload;
and has anyone thought of how 2 million barrels per month gets all hauled by trucks to that site.

Just the thought of #9 highway disrepair and feeder road maintenance should at least be considered. Remember the Dep't of Holidays has a tough time keeping willows from growing on the highway slopes and the RM's have trouble mowing their ditches and providing garbage services; let alone water, sewer and efective policing; nor municipal wide basic communications; adequate health and doctor services and on and on.

Naw.... we might as wel be on auto pilot and soon none will care less.

[oneoff]

In Summary (so far)
8 miles of pavement (not necessarily primary weights year round ) is about a 9 million tab. $90 Million is a larger amout; but not billions or trillions.
You shouldn't be at all comfortable with secrecy in public business.
The announcement of this "rail hub" is not the end; but rather the anticipated beginning of development.
If you only require future suprise anoouncements; then I fully understand how you wish to be led by circumstances.
If you do not entertain realistic comments about issues that should be considered; then you should be held responsible for your fair share of the consequences.
Lack of consultation and opportunities for meaningfu public input are deteriorating each year. Those closed Facebook loops also have their unintended and sometimes disasterous outcomes.

Public business is meant to involve consultation; input and accountability. Considered decisions should not be based on personal agendas and potential of personal gains.

[oneoff]

Baby steps here

70,000 barrel/day oil...... plus... 40,000,000 bushels
grain per year or well over 100,000 every day whether it is a Sunday or holiday or not.
Are taxpayers on the hook for the Boundary road to a solid block of land owned by Corus and effectivey its partners such a Scholar. Roads do cost big money to maintaain and ugrade. And why would the new owners want a public "town" street(s) closed when they could demand snow plowing; gravelling and rebuilding to adequate standards for several hundred big "semi's" per day. Just a thought.

[LEP]

Oneoff you are right. Better to block all
development and have the pleasure of driving
by those pristine pieces of property that just
need the weeds mowed a couple times a year.

It makes perfect sense.

[cottonpicken]

Ya,and who cares about all the young guys in that
middle of nowhere place who want to stay but can't
find a good job,minus of course the slave labour
wages some local farmers throw at them.

[wilagro]

Sounds like Saskawatchaland is ripe for exploitation and by gar she's-a-gonna- be developed. Secrecy covers up a possibility of opposition to these projects...its the CONservative way whether it be federal, provincial or municipal. Our Alberta works in a similar manner when ever possible and we are developing even more procedures to lock out any possible discussion OR opposition by the public.

Electric transmission towers in Alberta...application for approval. NOW stamped OKAY before the ink even dries.

Pipeline across your prime farmland...application to be okayed by an authority "Acting On Our Behalf". Yep, democracy is being increasingly replaced by government dictatorship.

[oneoff]

The relative handfull of apologists and promoters of self interest are of pretty small concern to me. They have congregated into packs of like minded vocal supporters; and stic out very well. And their names come up one after another b
My concern is for most of the rest. And it comes down to if that majority prefers to sit on the fence (or bury their heads deep in the sand for fear of taking a stance. Or they may cower in corners for fear of being attacked. At some point in time one might just say that it is not of sufficient use to raise the issues that should be weighed before decisions are made.

If public business is not the public business and conducted with open disclosure; and the courts cut a lot of slack for ublic officials; and discretion may be exercised in very slanted ways and issues of fraud investigation are bungled by the police; and Crown attorneys may decide that several hundred dollars are not worth pursuing in potential fraud cases; and auditors know that doing a thorough job will haunt their company down the road; and councillors deide to be well paid and set their wages at exactly what they choose;...... then what to do?.

And next to no one wants to pay any attention or do anyhing to remedy the above. A fact that apparently is a fact of life in rural Sask. and who knows; maybe in Western Canada.

All one can say is that we get the government that we deserve.