LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Concerned about Bill of Rights

Our association certainly agrees that the environment is important. Our members and their families are also part of the environment. In fact, our members are much more aware of the environment than the general public. Our concern is that Ontario’s proposed Environmental Bill of Rights will ignore the fact that the economic and social aspects of the environment are critical factors in any proposed legislation.

It is imperative that the proposed legislation does not permit any harassment of individuals or companies carrying on their legitimate activities in accordance with the law.

For our association, this would mean that for mineral exploration, conforming to good work practices and abiding by the terms of work permits issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources would be protection against suits.

Similarly, all other types of work which are lawful should also have this protection.

If “improved access to the courts, including the right to sue polluters” becomes a part of the law, then it will also be necessary to have improved access to the courts for those who are being subjected to these suits to counter sue, particularly where frivolous suits are being brought against individuals. T. Sanders Chairman Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association Thunder Bay, Ont.