Like Ontario, B.C. is about to implement the HST.

There was not even a whisper about the HST in the provincial budget; we are asked to believe that implementation arose well after the budget.

We have been assured that the HST is revenue neutral, that is, the government will not take in any additional monies.

However, it is said to be good for business because they will pay less tax.

As an ordinary taxpayer, it had occurred to me that if business is paying less tax and the HST is allegedly revenue neutral, then someone else has to pick up the slack.

Guess who?

All the business analysts tell us that the HST is good for B.C. but no one has explained to me how it's better for me to have the government dig deeper into my wallet and thus have less disposable income.

Michael Jalonen

Protect Lakes

As the summer is winding down, it is nice to have the peace and quiet back on our lakes.

We have to remember that our lakes are our drinking water and therefore we have to protect them.

It is time to say no to any more motorized boats on our lakes as pollution of our drinking water is now becoming a problem.

Please think and everyone protect our waters.

Harry Faulkner

No to Facility

I would like to thank all the people who attended the meeting regarding the Robertson farm's animal waste/dead stock composting facility proposal in Grindrod.

The school was filled to capacity with good people who care about their neighbours, community, environment, and the Shuswap watershed. I'm proud to be part of this community.

The definition of trust is: to place confidence in, rely upon, to believe. Grindrod and area residents' trust was badly shaken after this five-hour meeting. Providing misinformation does not earn trust. Not answering questions openly and completely does not earn trust.

Many questions and concerns were not even allowed to be voiced. Isn't Canada a country where freedom of speech and democracy are esteemed.

If you weren't allowed to speak at the meeting, please write a letter to Steve Thomson, Minister of Agriculture, who approves this facility.

Residents of Grindrod and area are having a hard time accepting this $1.2 million pilot meat waste/dead stock composting facility.

Our taxpayer dollars are funding a project that could threaten our health, watershed and environment — 1,134 have signed a petition saying no to this facility.

Trust is earned.

Hopefully the Ministry of Agriculture will say no to this facility.

Karen Dittloff, spokesperson for the concerned citizens of Grindrod

Looking for Evidence

A recent article in The Morning Star questions the ability to trust Health Canada.

Is this person a qualified toxicologist or medical practitioner?

Health Canada has performed many scientific studies on the use of chemicals, i.e. 2-4D, on our health. These studies show there are little or no health hazards. There is no hard evidence of health hazards.

There are a growing number of special interest groups who claim that Health Canada and their scientists are lying or are misleading the public.

Due to public opinions we are looking at barring the use of certain pesticides, i.e. weed control. Most of these opinions begin with: might, may or possibly, cause health issues.

Where is their scientific evidence?

So who is telling the truth or who is telling the public convenient lies?

Leigh Koepnick