The Editor,
Re: "Wong stands by decision to eat shark fin," News, Oct. 17.
Alice Wong sure doesn't represent me!
I am embarrassed that my elected representative, Alice Wong, has taken such a wrong-headed public stand on shark fin soup.
She says shark fin products are a federal responsibility and the cities should essentially "butt out."
If you follow her logic, then presumably, as a sitting member of the ruling government, she is promoting government policy.
By holding a photo-op press conference, she seems to say that as far as the federal government is concerned, it is OK to slaughter one of our ocean's top predators.
These magnificent creatures are often killed via the unimaginable cruel practice of cutting off their fin and throwing the shark back in the water to suffer a slow and painful death.
Why are we creating a market and demand for this practice and contributing to the extinction of many shark species?
Alice Wong hides behind the statement that the government only allows appropriately harvested sharks.
But, experts (who are not just out to get re-elected) say that the government has no means to control what is imported and how it is harvested.
Ms. Wong demonstrates shameful behaviour by using this issue as a means of self-promotion.
Obviously, her ambition to get re-elected is more important than the survival of a species and terrible treatment of another living creature. Wong may be trying to say through her actions that she represents her constituents.
But she sure does not represent me.
Steve Guthrie
Richmond
