ELEPHANTS, BLIND MEN AND THE PROVINCIAL PROCESS

Ever heard the story about the blind men feeling an elephant?? In various versions of the tale, a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one feels a different part, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then compare notes and learn that they are in complete disagreement.

With a sick feeling in my stomach, it just occured to me that this is the way the province is going to comment on the quarry and determine the fate-yeah or nay.

The MOE is going to look at it from ONLY the MOE perspective, water and environment.  

OMAFRA will look at it through the agricultural lens (without any specialty crop criteria of course). 

The MTO will look at it from the perspective of being the biggest user of cheap aggregate. 

The County of Dufferin SHOULD look at it from the perspective of County road traffic impact, but I suspect they will be "directed" to look at it from the perspective of how soon can Orangeville vote at the County to sell the rail line and collect on their $7 million.


Melancthon will probably look at it however cheaply they can, because of course it is the province's fault.


I could go on, but you get the picture.  You could call any of the subject matter experts at any provincial minstry and not ONE of them would be able to give you the entire fulsome picture and implications of the M3 (Melancthon Mega Mine)


Can't really fault them though.  Michael Daniher AND John Lowndes of the Highland Companies and every one of their subject matter experts at their so called open house held in Hornings Mills on April 12 didn't really know much either. 


I mean seriously, one of the subject matter experts didn't even know the nutritional value of a rock.... :|)


You can call any single member of any grassroots organization fighting this and get a concise 2 year summary in about 10 minutes.