Dear Editor:

Despite a higher rate of water being used, Radium Hot Springs has made substantial upgrades over the past years to save millions of litres of water.

“The Village of Radium Hot Springs has reduced gross community water consumption b Regarding Mr. Swan’s commentary vis-a-vis the carbon tax, perhaps the reduction seen in B.C. on the level of CO2 emissions is as simple as the downturn in B.C.’s economy over the intervening years since 2008.

Rather than the rosy picture being presented, could it not simply be a reduction due entirely to the decrease in vehicular traffic?

There is no doubt that here within the Columbia Valley many businesses have felt that reduction as witnessed in lower sales numbers that are a direct result of the economic downturn, which seems to have been exacerbated by the higher cost of fuel here in B.C.  The carbon tax incidentally adds close to $0.07 cents per litre to not only gasoline but also other fuels such as propane.

Those of us using propane for heat and cooking fuel are simply having to turn the thermostat down a degree or two and use the barbecue less often. While we’re at it, we’re also driving a little less due to the higher costs of gasoline.

So you believe the carbon tax hasn’t affected B.C.’s economy? I suggest you think again.

John Tames, Windermere