At 8:28 am on September 1, all was good in the world of Highland Companies, Seth Klarman, aka Baupost Group. See their tweet:
An update on the proposed Melancthon Quarry
Posted by Team Highland on 09/01 at 08:28 AM Permalink
"We continue to welcome scrutiny and dialogue arising from our application. John Lowndes"
Read all about it here:
http://www.melancthonquarry.ca/index.php/site/latest/an_update_on_the_proposed_melancthon_quarry
The Province drops this little bomb at 5:55 pm
"After careful consideration, the Minister of Natural Resources and I have agreed to bring forward a regulation making Highland Companies subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. As a result the company will be required to undertake a comprehensive Environmental Assessment for the proposed quarry in Melancthon Township.
http://www.news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2011/09/statement-from-minister-of-the-environment-john-wilkinson-regarding-highland-companies-proposed-quar.html
Highland Companies’ Response to the MOE Announcement of an EA, less than 15 minutes later.
Posted by Team Highland on 09/01 at 06:10 PM Permalink
We were surprised at this extraordinary and targeted step taken by the government in the midst of a charged political environment, particularly given our strong view that the proven process designated by the Aggregate Resources Act and the Planning Act is robust and sufficient to consider all aspects of our project. We remain committed to our project, which is supported by extensive scientific and economic analysis, and we are confident it will withstand an unbiased process that is premised on facts and data.
http://www.melancthonquarry.ca/index.php/site/latest/highland_companies_response_to_the_moe_announcement_of_an_ea
Wow, at 8:30 am they welcomed scrutiny and dialogue but at 6:10 pm not so much anymore.
Honestly I can see why they are upset. Their statement says it all. Why would the government, responsible to the electorate have anything to do with this since Highlands stated: "particularly given our strong view that the proven process designated by the Aggregate Resources Act and the Planning Act is robust and sufficient to consider all aspects of our project."
I am not sure, but who died and made Seth Klarman, Baupost, Highland Companies, our government? Hey Baupost, you aren't in the United States anymore.
Who can argue with a government that changes the rules part way through a process. Kind of like getting a speeding ticket because the speed limit changed after you already drove there.
ReplyDeleteBullshit 6:30pm. Baupost is driving a concord jet down a country road. The old speeding rules for automobiles can not be applied to airplanes, because airplanes don't belong on the road! So now, new rules are required to protect those who share the road.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you are going to insist on using the "speeding" analogy then consider the fact that Highland Companies has not been caught speeding yet, because they have not been approved for a mine yet, so if the government wants to change the speed limit to protect their citizens then THAT is their prerogative and their responsibility.