EDITORIAL PAGE — What a tangled web

Sophistry — the art of subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation practised in ancient Greece — is alive and well, and being developed in new directions by environmentalists opposed to diamond mining in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

These self-proclaimed experts are wailing, gnashing their teeth and threatening lawsuits because a federal environmental review panel has recommended that the NWT Diamonds project be approved, subject to certain conditions. The panel concluded that the environmental impact of the mine would be “predictable and mitigable,” and that it has “the potential to provide significant benefits to the North and northerners.”

But this conditional green light was greeted with outrage by some small-minded zealots who have vowed to continue the fight with their weapon of choice: the soapbox. The rules of battle are simple. Environmentalists wear white hats. Black hats are for the corporate villain. Forget common sense, ignore reason; rather, grandstand and solicit media attention. Play the public like a violin and, most importantly, don’t let the facts stand in the way of a good story.

Do tell the public that the environmental studies were cursory and superficial. Don’t tell them that the environmental impact statement for NWT Diamonds was the most comprehensive, detailed and authoritative study ever filed for a Canadian mining project, costing more than $14 million to produce. And don’t point out that, as mine projects go, NWT Diamonds is relatively benign, with no chemicals required for processing and no potential for acid drainage.

Do call for more studies, but don’t remind taxpayers that they are already shelling out for an $11-million environmental study of the Slave region surrounding the proposed diamond mine (additional to the company’s site-specific studies).

Do tell the public that mining companies are riding roughshod over the rights of native groups. But don’t get into the details of conflicting and complicated land claims, or point out that a great many natives support the project. And don’t acknowledge that the mine’s proponents have made every effort to provide jobs and other economic benefits for northerners.

Do tell the public that the proponent is a “foreign multi-national,” but don’t bring up the fact that the diamond discoveries were the result of a 10-year search by a Canadian geologist whose company still has a stake in the venture. After all, some people might agree that the fellow has a right to some sort of return on his investment of time, hard work and money.

Don’t mention that the mine would generate $500 million annually and provide hundreds of jobs for northerners during a period when Ottawa is tightening its purse strings.

Do point out — horror of horrors — that a few lakes would have to be drained before the capitalists can get their hands on the diamonds. And having made “saving the lakes” a noble cause, never acknowledge that the Northwest Territories has many thousands of them, each one a breeding ground for hordes of mosquitoes. (And don’t ask the caribou what they think about mosquitoes.)

In our view, critics have had ample opportunity to express their concerns over the mine proposal. The panel has heard from all stakeholders, studied mountains of evidence, and made 29 recommendations that will guide future development. It is time to move on. We urge the federal government to give final approval to the proposal and pave the way for Canada’s first diamond mine.