Editor:
Nearly 40 years have past since the Agricultural Reserve Act was approved. To some of us, who were sufficiently naive, that legislation represented the real possibility that Delta would remain a municipality with an agricultural base. For those now aging residents, the hope for that reality has turned sour.
The latest assault on our vision comes from the plans of the Tsawwassen First Nation.
No one with a sense of fair play would argue they didn't deserve compensation for their loss over the past centuries. Yet their decision to duplicate our unsustainable lifestyle is regrettable.
The addition of massive shopping malls with a residential plan to follow is exactly what this municipality doesn't need. The South Delta business community has put on a brave public face but this development will have a devastating impact.
They will, of course, take the only recourse they have and pressure Delta council to approve additional agricultural land developments, including the plan for a large residential complex on the Southlands.
Although we have not yet heard from council, the sense is there would be only a minority of councillors opposed to the plan.
Then there is the near certain prospect of a perpetually expanding port, a tax free zone and associated transportation routes. The South Fraser Perimeter Road scars grow daily and so does the population of cars and trucks.
Just what we need - additional imports to replace the manufactured products we used to make before we moved to the service industry.
Walter Rasmussen
