Free enterprise supports lifestyle

Dear editor: The Alberta government is punishing the wrong British Columbians.

The trouble-making B.C. residents actually live from all points west of Highway 97 out to the Fraser Valley, the GVRD, and Vancouver Island.

They are the NDP, the Greens, half of the BC Liberals and half of the B.C. First Nation bands, who absolutely hate pipelines and more seaports.

The other half of B.C. First Nation, half of the Coast and Island Liberals, the Reformers, Conservatives, plus Interior and Northern Reformers, and Conservatives support free enterprise: logging, lumber, mines, trucking, orchards, B.C. wine, railways, pipelines and seaports. Free enterprisers appreciate and understand that services for First Nation, Medicare, education, highways and infrastructure projects, can only be paid for if, Canada exports its resources to Asian markets. No foreign exchange (no gold) means, Western Canada comes to a screeching halt.

It’s amazing how many First Nation bands that hate pipelines and seaports today, enjoy a much higher standard of living than do many (non-First Nation working folks).Yet full services for the First Nation is expected to carry on as usual.

I would encourage the First Nation chiefs to prepare their people for rough times, if exports to Asia, for whatever reason are stopped. The bottom line for all of us, both the rich and poor, is there is no free lunch.

About a year after the next federal election, reality for a great many of us will be getting our attention.

There is the serious possibility that the immigrants to Canada will be in charge; in those cultures, thousands of years older than our own; if a person does not work, they don’t eat.

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie’s message to his people, applies to all Canadians, regardless of our race, creed, culture or background: “Your ancestors worked for a living, you should too.” Ernie Slump

Penticton