Keep it beautiful, natural and healthy

Most Canadians west of Manitoba vacation here in B.C. regularly or occasionally. It has a reputation of being pretty much the most beautiful province in Canada... “Beautiful British Columbia.”

People come to B.C. for its beauty, its wildlife, the amazing parks, camping, the food that's grown here, the wine, the lakes, rivers, and beaches. People come here because its breathtakingly beautiful.

If the air we breathe is toxic or even a bit unhealthy, the ramifications for present and future health can be severe and expensive. British Columbians rely on tourism more than many provinces. It is a big part of the B.C. economy. How are we going to be prosperous if our province becomes an undesirable place to visit let alone live?

Fires blaze on, skies intermittently blacken, beaches are quiet, ash covers the ground, locals have evacuated and are staying in the hotels, out-of-province travelers are urged to stay away because it's ugly, toxic, and dangerous.

I am grateful for how hard firefighters are working and for all that we have as Canadians here. But, I want to be hearing from my provincial and federal governments daily about what they are doing to mitigate climate change and prevent catastrophic wildfires.

I urge our government to please address this like the emergency that it is; not just how we're suffering, not just how we are fighting these fires right now, but legislation to stop contributing to this climate emergency.

People's livelihoods depend on it. Above all our health depends on it. Please keep British Columbia beautiful, natural, and healthy.

Shawna Pechanec

Naramata