Persistence is one of the Greatest Virtues

Re: SNC Lavalin reports huge profits - Lori McLeod Globe May 2/08

Isn't it interesting that on the very day that our Vancouver SUN reports a dramatic decline in wages and earning power, coupled with a massive development boom - the Globe features the climbing profits of SNC Lavalin.

As the bulilder of the several billion dollar Canada Line here in Vancouver, SNC has syphoned away our equity in our independant businesses, and fattened its bottom line at our expense. Any and all profits to SNC have come directly out of the pockets of the blindsided families that run all the small businesses along it's route.

The secret decision by the RAV/Canada Line and SNC to dig a massive canyon for the past two years from one end of Cambie street to the other, instead of boring underground as was proposed and approved; has created a kind of hardship that is unimaginable for most people, both financial and personal.

People's life's work - their livelihoods - have been ruined, and the project and all it's corporate and government partners have turned a blind eye.

We've been offered not a penny in financial relief or compensation for this shocking abuse of power, and the project itself is making millions at our expense.

I have spent 25 years building my successful Maternity and Women's clothing business. I design and manufacture with local labour just for my own shop. I'm a single parent. I signed a long-term Lease based on what turned out to be a lie.

I have re-mortgaged my house twice now, and have lost $500,000 in revenue.

For the past three years I have done everything I can think of to bring justice and compensation to our devastated community - many of whom do not speak english.

So. What's a girl to do? Why - take all levels of government and all project partners to court, that's what.

My case is proceeding against all odds. Examinations for Discovery are being set. Full compensation is required. It's only money, and all partners have truck fulls of it. What is sadly lacking, is any integrity from the project or from our government.

Premier Campbell could turn this around in a heartbeat. Does he have one?

Three years of this human rights violation caused by the Canada Line is justice denied, and an open contempt for democracy. Our livelihoods have been expropriated.

As a society, it is more than outrageous that small independant businesses have been forced to take our own government to court to seek a remedy for the devastating consequences of this government funded and driven project.

Our hope is to have this abuse of power made right with full compensation before we are forced to take further legal action. Any project profits derived under these circumstances are nothing to celebrate. It is unconscionable.

Susan Heyes

Hazel&Co

3190 Cambie Street

Van BC V5Z 2W2

604 687-0721