Dear Editor:
It has become clear to me that our local MLA Linda Larson truly does not understand the demographics of her riding.
How offensive her recent remarks are that Boundary-Similkameen NDP candidate Colleen Ross’ children were not born in this area.
Ms. Ross chose to live her life and farm in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Why should choosing carry less weight than where you were born?
I chose to move here from Ontario and have called Osoyoos home since 2005.
I am not from here, so does that mean that Larson doesn’t see me as a fit constituent to represent?
What about my doctor? She isn’t from here. She is from South Africa.
What about about my dentist? He isn’t from here. He is from Alberta.
What about all the staff at Tim Horton’s who serve me my morning coffee and afternoon green tea?
They aren’t from here, but they always offer me profound blessings for a great day. What about my cycling coach? She isn’t from here.
What about the Town of Osoyoos staff who take such great care of our town? Some of them aren’t from here.
Many of our teachers aren’t from here. Are all of our farmers who grow our food from here?
What about the orchardists who grow fruit? Are they from here?
In looking at the rich diversity of the people who have settled here and the fact this remains a small town, almost everyone who now calls Osoyoos home is from somewhere else.
Having said that, the Okanagan First Nation people have been here for thousands and thousands of years and they are truly from here.
What a misinformed and absolutely offensive comment made by a woman who does not understand community, yet still wants our trust to represent us come this May.
How very sad.
Dr. Martha Collins
Osoyoos, B.C.
