Editor:
I am writing in response to Shoni Smith’s letter concerning the terrible plight faced by the elderly lady who has been living in her car in Sechelt (“Help at home first,” Aug. 5).
I agree that no person should have to live in their vehicle; however, Shoni’s remarks about Canadians assisting refugees instead of taking care of our own are unfounded. Frankly she is “comparing apples to oranges,” as the old saying goes.
Canada has the ability to assist our own citizens as well as refugees. We have a proud history of doing both quite well. I humbly suggest that because we are not privy to the plight that brought this elderly lady to her current despair, or what assistance she has endeavoured to seek, we cannot superficially think that our government’s social programs are at fault.
Letters to the editor are a wonderful forum, but let’s dig a little deeper into a story before we make judgments.
Dee McCuaig, Gibsons
