Editor:
Re: B.C. taking action to improve air quality (Sept. 23 Weekend Advisor)
I am writing this letter on behalf of the BC Farm Women’s Network, from the position of secretary/treasurer of the organization.
We are very concerned with the actions that are being taken by the ministry of environment to reduce emissions from wood-burning appliances.
The article in question states that “the changes were widely consulted on with the public, industry, local government and public health agencies through the intentions paper process and focused engagement sessions.”
None of our members present at our AGM held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, had even heard of this consultation, or knew anything about it.
Talking about creating “15 new offences that can be penalized under the Environmental Management Act in the form of tickets, court-ordered penalties, and/or administrative penalties” seems like scare tactics.
When are we, the public and the government, going to start listening to/consulting with the people who are ‘on the ground’ producing the food we eat?
By and large they are the ones who are burning wood (in some kind of appliance), because that is the fuel that is available and affordable.
If we keep on covering up the productive land with concrete, asphalt, and water there soon won’t be enough food produced to feed British Columbians, never mind help the world feed its population.
On the website there is a comparison to Britain and some to the U.S. We are neither of those places.
We live in B.C. where there is much wide-open space and a lot of wood available.
Not all locations can be treated the same, so a blanket emissions statement cannot be a one size fits all.
Ginny-Lou Alexander
Secretary/Treasurer, BC Farm Women’s Network
100 Mile House
