Re: Common good more important than profit (Progress, Jan. 8)

Great letter, Jerry Riches! Perhaps Mr. Fletcher would receive more accolades writing in the U.S. than in Canada – conspiracy theories seem to have more credibility there than here.  We all need to remember that big business’ priority is to make their stockholders happy with profits – not caring about  damage done to our environment.

As taxpayers, we will have to pay for damages when – not if – there are oil spills.  Our tourism and fisheries bring more profit to our province in one year than the oil business will in eight years.  If the pipeline and tankers’ proponents ‘buy or bribe’ our government’s agreement, we will need a lot more of the antidepressants that another writer referred to as being used.  On that note, Julia, check your figures – the population of Canada is less than 35,000,000,  we are not yet at one in two on antidepressants, however if this ‘deal’ (for the oil companies) is allowed to proceed, we may be!

S. Hayes