It is truly a shame to see all that fertile farmland lost to housing, stores and industry.
No, I don't mean the projects being proposed by the Tsawwassen First Nation, but rather all the land consumed by suburbanites following the opening of the George Massey Tunnel a half century ago.
If my recollection of one of the many stories told to me by the late Edgar Dunning is correct, then Delta went from a population of about 8,000 to somewhere in the neighbourhood of 80,000 in the two decades after the tube provided easy access to the big city.
This place grew like crazy as homes, schools, shops, offices and more swallowed up farm after farm in an effort to provide new-found Deltans with the accommodation and services they required for suburban living.
I raise this bit of history because I find a great deal of irony in the opposition to the TFN's proposal to build a pair of mega malls as well as a significant housing subdivision. It seems to be a classic case of do as we say, not as we do.
I realize one could argue we're a more enlightened society now than we were 40 or 50 years ago, so paving over farmland is far more of a taboo today. There's a lot we accepted back in the day that we no longer tolerate, including second-hand smoke and, even more importantly, disco music.
But is it fair to punish the TFN because it got to the table late, particularly when it wasn't provided a treaty, and an additional land base, until very recently? By all means, go ahead and prosper, but don't do anything that might annoy us. After all, it's not like the ferry terminal or port have had any adverse effect on their lives.
There's no doubt that if the TFN's projects come to fruition they will add traffic congestion, pollution and an overall busier feel to an area that prides itself on its small town charm, but keep in mind this activity will pale in comparison to the footprint we've placed on their traditional territory over the last century.
I see the shortsightedness of turning 180 acres of productive farmland into 1.8 million square feet of retail space, but I believe the need to bring economic prosperity to our neighbours at the TFN trumps whatever reservations we might hold.
Their projects might not conform to our wishes, or our town plans, but respecting them is part of being a good neighbour. If you're having trouble coming to grips with that, just ask the TFN what it's like to have someone else's will imposed on your area.
