Dear Editor:
In reference to the Sept. 16 North Shore News story Got Milk? Maybe You Gotta Have a Deposit, I agree with District of North Vancouver Coun. Roger Bassam that the staff proposal to support a deposit on milk containers constitutes a tax.
Unfortunately the staff report provided to council contains some significant misinformation. According to the B.C. Dairy Council 2010 year-end status report, plastic milk jugs were estimated to have an overall recovery rate estimated at between 70 per cent and 80 per cent.
This is at odds with the staff report to council which indicated a recovery of only 10 per cent.
Missing from the report is the fact that not only is it proposed to charge a deposit (estimated at about 25 cents) but a nonrefundable recycling fee.
The result - people will pay more for milk. Milk, unlike other beverages, is an essential part of our diet, especially for young families. I trust the province will take a broader view of this issue and take into consideration the welfare of young families on this matter. Adding any taxes to milk products is a bad idea.
Corrie Kost North Vancouver
