Well Ms Wente, tell me how much our governments have spent and are currently spending in cleaning the the Randle Reefs, Faro mines, Sydney Steel mines of this world.........it is billions and billions of dollars and they will be spend for many many years in the future.

Ther past has been just to bolt ahead without any regard to the future of this planet.  Unfortunately Canadians do not know the costs associated with our activity here on planet earth.  The Feds are spending billions annually of cleanups and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Do a googe search of Randle Reef, Faro mines,,,Sydney steel....the list goes on and on.

Look at the bright side Margaret...we just hire more fireboys and firegirls and pay them the big bucks for their partime work so they can pay for bills....  hint...time to reboot this issue as its been awhile.