Re: Three options for road access to Tsawout unappealing (News, Feb. 17)
As a resident of Central Saanich, I would like to express my concern about the proposed interchange on the Pat Bay Highway allowing a shopping centre to be constructed on Tsawout First Nation land.
The District of Central Saanich has a modest population and is agricultural in nature. The residents of Central Saanich have chosen not to follow the path of commercialization that areas such as Langford have chosen.
Governments should not aid the Tsawout in changing the rural nature of Central Saanich. We do not have a large population here and a shopping centre of any substantial size would threaten the existing businesses.
I also am concerned about the message that the proposed Tsawout project would send to other First Nations bands and to non-aboriginal business owners.
Will we see First Nations land swallowed up by non-aboriginal businesses which will pay no taxes to local governments, and drive other businesses presently on non-native land, out of business?
And where will First Nations people construct their homes with many reserves already crowded?
Bill Wilson
Saanichton