Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - The Morning Star A9
www.vernonmorningstar.com
Letters
EDITOR: GLENN MITCHELL
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PHONE: 550-7920
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E-MAIL: letters@vernonmorningstar.com
Where are all the helmets?
I
am wondering why there are so many children riding their bikes, scooters, and skateboarding without helmets. My son is 12, and we had been living up on Silver Star but recently moved down into the city. I cannot believe how many children there are in our neighbourhood and surrounding area who do not wear helmets. A lot of these children are younger than my son, who is 12. My son is one of only two kids I have seen wearing a helmet since we moved here. When we lived in Edmonton, it was the law that every child under 18 must wear helmets. Parents were fined and it was enforced. Even though we lived in subsidized housing at the time, parents feared getting fined and made sure they weren't caught letting their children ride without a helmet. It was reinforced in schools as well. And, it was rare to see a child without a helmet. So why aren't things the same way here?
A RESPONSE I agree that a safe and sustainable food supply is good for the health of people and the planet. Unfortunately, a recent article in The Morning Star contained misinformation about genetically modified (GM) crops that must be corrected. What readers should know is that all crops derived from biotechnology are subject to Canada's strict regulatory standards, ensuring that Canadians have access to one of the safest food supplies in the world. Extensive safety reviews are completed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada before any plant biotechnology is approved. Part of the safety review includes looking at potential impacts on beneficial insects like bees. Pollinator health is crucial to agriculture and our industry takes the issue of bee health very seriously. In fact the plant science industry conducts in-depth research into both pesticides and biotech crops from an early stage to ensure they do not negatively impact non-target species like bees.
Isn't there a B.C. law about having to wear helmets? Shouldn't children be adequately protected? Why do I never see any police or bylaw officer around here doing anything about it? I live by the park at 18/19th Street and
40/41st Avenue. It is a huge hot spot of full of children just waiting for the next head injury to happen. So why isn't this of any concern? I'm very frustrated about this, and I am concerned for these children who are learning that
GM crops enjoy a remarkable food safety record, having been cultivated for well over a decade and eaten by billions of people worldwide. In fact, regulatory agencies around the world as well as highly regarded international organizations like the World Health Organization, have all endorsed the safety of GM crops. In Canada, farmers choose to grow genetically improved varieties of corn, canola and soybeans, and other crops due to the numerous benefits they offer such as increased yields and environmental sustainability. The fact of the matter is that GM crops are not a safety concern thanks to rigorous regulatory standards and therefore do not need to be labeled. Biotech crops are federally regulated and have been proven safe to eat. If consumers want to avoid foods derived from GM crops, they can buy foods that are labeled organic. Lorne Hepworth, President, CropLife Canada
hearing was held at the RDNO to discuss whether ALR land near Enderby should be re-zoned to allow a trial meat waste incinerator and also if the OCP be amended to allow incineration on agricultural land. The meeting room was filled, opposition was strong, but due to a procedural error made by RDNO, the decision by RDNO was deferred to a later date. That date will never come as on Jan. 17, 2012, it was confirmed in writing that the file has been closed. For undisclosed reasons the applicant chose not to proceed. So, to the 2,755 people who signed the petition opposing incineration on agricultural land in the North Okanagan, thank you. We also must thank the multitudes that wrote to local, provincial and federal bodies. People like you make democracy work and for now the door to incineration on agricultural land in the North Okanagan has quietly swung shut. Karen Dittloff, Concerned Citizens of Grindrod/Enderby and Area
INCINERATOR UPDATE On March 3, 2010, a public
INQUIRY NEEDED As you know, serious evidence
350,000 CLIENTS. $80 BILLION IN ASSETS. 1030 ADVISORS.
it's OK not to wear a helmet (nobody else is anyway) and about parents letting their young children go out without any head protection. This isn't OK. We should be expecting a higher quality of care and safety for our youth, and the authorities should be stepping in and raising awareness of this and fining parents... even if it means having the child get off their wheeled vehicular toys and walking them back to their homes to get a helmet until the point is made. Ignorance of the law excuses no one. "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear." (Nelson Mandela) Jenny Waldemaras
has recently emerged of alleged fraud in the 2011 Canadian federal election. Canadians are demanding the whole truth to protect the most basic integrity of our democratic process. The NDP and Greens have joined the call for a public inquiry. The Liberals are focused on a broad investigation by Elections Canada and they have said that they are open to the idea of a public inquiry. In contrast, Prime Minister Harper is denying calls for a full and independent investigation by telling Canadians that the calls were merely "dirty tricks" in a few isolated locations. But that story can’t account for the evidence. There are reports of calls spread out over dozens of key ridings all over the country. It takes serious money and major phone number databases to target voters in multiple close ridings. Who paid? Where did the lists come from? We need to know what happened. Public pressure is the only thing
that can protect our democracy. If Harper has nothing to hide then he shouldn't be opposing an investigation. We need to hold our politicians accountable. Jason Danielson
■ The Morning Star is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
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