Costco's Bad Taste, Bad News Connections in British Columbia

Costco's Bad News

by Steve and Susanne Hare Lawson 

Dear Costco Connection Magazine;

In your latest publication the "Costco Connection", in your moneysavers section, you have chosen to publicize a letter regarding shares in Enbridge and how a customer can pass these on to his children. This is in such bad taste considering what B.C. is going through in regards to the Enbridge pipeline controversy with the majority of the the public in B.C. and First Nations leadership and peoples opposing these oil and gas pipelines that it is with serious consideration we are thinking of cancelling our long-held membership in your organization.

There are public demonstrations planned in B.C. on Nov. 16th against Enbridge and your propaganda pushing the Enbridge company defies comprehension. 

This follows on the controversy surrounding the sale of fish farmed salmon under your Kirkland label in your stores here where thousands of people have expressed their concern at the sale and marketing of such a product.

• The government of Norway has advised that children and pregnant women not eat farmed salmon. 

• These fish have high levels of PCB's, consume large levels of antibiotics, and are responsible for the demise of young wild salmon and other species of coastal fish. 

• It is well known that these farmed fish are soft and mushy, often infected with ISA, Infectious Salmon Anemia which fish farmers say is not passable to humans but it is an auto immune deficiency which hasn't had long term scientific research. Infestations of sea lice and other pathogens and diseases are rampant in these farms. 

Now with the expectant availability of genetically modified fish, the first edible mutated protein that these farms will be producing, makes the fact that your company selling such a product is in (pardon the pun) very poor taste.

Target and Overwaitea and other retailers have opted out of the sale of such a product.

We think it is high time you set some better standards for ethical, environmental and health wise investments and what you offer to the public, your membership and supporters. We have, along with my family, been members of Costco since your inception on the west coast of North America. We spend a lot of money monthly at your stores on Vancouver Island and are ready to switch to better sources.

Sincerely,
Steve and Susanne Hare Lawson, Tofino, B.C.