Opinion

The Editor, During the recent debate on Richmond City Council's resolution to ban the cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) crops, a few people have suggested there was a lack of accurate information and a lot of fear-mongering around the issue.

The provincial government's justification for its Orwellian Animal Health Act is not only worrying, it's an insult to the public's intelligence. Bill 37 overrides B.C.

This province is getting boxed around the ears in Ottawa, and that's unlikely to change for a few more years. The federal government has a majority and a serious budget problem, so it's taking things out on the provinces.

In 1960, I was a teaching assistant to the last UBC professor to teach organic agriculture. I taught the spring term of his course when he became ill. I wrote my graduating thesis in genetics on the cross breeding of livestock.

The Editor: Re: "Check for Richmond traffic jams before you leave," Letters, May 16. Your article describing the new Richmond traffic cams had me chuckling. The city installed a set of traffic lights at the corner of Moncton and No.

Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman is promoting what the Liberals would have British Columbians believe is decisive government action and hard work to reduce proposed rate increases by BC Hydro.

Open letter to mayor and council, Re: "Terra Nova Rural Park play experience concept plan open house," Advertisement, May 30. I just received the Richmond News and see that there is a "play experience" planned for Terra Nova.

Open letter to mayor and council, Re: "Council plows ahead with GE-crop ban," News, May 30. Thank you for your considerable efforts in studying and debating this issue. To say I am overjoyed at the outcome would be an unnecessary understatement.

The Editor, Re: "Politicians server their masters" Letters, May 30. The old overpopulation myth again? Earth currently produces enough food to feed over 20 billion people at a North American standard.

The Editor, Re: "Richmond declared GE-free," News; "GM crops shouldn't be feared," Letters. It was a clever juxtaposition to tell us about council's support of a GMO-free Richmond, then follow up with a dubious pro-GM letter inside of Friday's paper.