Open letter to the Hon. Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Social Development
On Aug. 2, I rode the SkyTrain from Vancouver to Surrey. It was a 35 minute trip on a four car train.
Every car contained at least one large colorful glossy booze poster at child’s eye level. Every car had minors. Two of the cars actually had two booze ads each. TransLink customer service claims that they “try and make sure alcohol ads are as appropriately placed as practical.”
This is simply not true.
With six ads on only four cars, the obvious goal is maximum exposure and saturation marketing, with no regard for the effect on children.
My children ride the SkyTrain at least 12 times per week. They have no alternative.
If this is how we operate our public transit, what does that say about us as a public community?
It takes a village to raise a child. We are all responsible.
Who authorized the sale of alcohol on our public transit, and can you stop it? As the Minister of Social Development, I feel it is your duty and responsibility to get involved.
Robert Stierle
