Canada BC - ‘No’ side happy with fluoride referendum result
‘No’ side happy with fluoride referendum result
Bill Phillips
The ‘no’ side is, understandably, happy with the result of Saturday’s fluoridation referendum.
Fifty-four per cent of those who cast a ballot in the referendum, (10,171 people), said they did not want the city to fluoridate the water, while 8,764 said ‘yes’ to fluoridation.
“We are pleased the majority of those who voted agreed with our position that fluoridation of the water system is not the answer to improved dental health,” said Tracey Brown, one of the ‘no’ side organizers. “The BC Ministry of Health Dental Survey Report from May of this year supports this fact.”
Brown said the ‘no’ side was cautiously optimistic going into the referendum and is pleased with the “decisive” vote.
Brown said they believe many factors went into a successful ‘no’ vote in the referendum.
“First, many people are better informing themselves about their health and wellness and coming to understand that everything we choose to eat and drink impacts our overall health,” she said. “The addition of hydrofluorosilicic acid to the water removes that choice. The ineffectiveness and inefficiency of water fluoridation are other factors that affected the vote.”
She added that 97 per cent of the province is not fluoridated and yet B.C. has the best dental health in the country.
“Education supports good dental health, not fluoridation,” she said.
Brown added that, even though the referendum is not binding on city council, they are confident council will decide to stop fluoridation.
“The newly elected mayor and council have publicly stated that they would abide by the results of the referendum,” she said. “Mayor-elect Hall has stated repeatedly that one of his goals is to reconnect council with the community and the community has clearly spoken on this topic. We look forward to council acting quickly to end water fluoridation in Prince George.”
And, Hall has said he will support the referendum result.
“The referendum was designed to give the public an opportunity to voice their position,” said mayor-elect Lyn Hall in a Free Press questionnaire during the campaign.
“I will support the outcome of the referendum.”
Bill Phillips
The ‘no’ side is, understandably, happy with the result of Saturday’s fluoridation referendum.
Fifty-four per cent of those who cast a ballot in the referendum, (10,171 people), said they did not want the city to fluoridate the water, while 8,764 said ‘yes’ to fluoridation.
“We are pleased the majority of those who voted agreed with our position that fluoridation of the water system is not the answer to improved dental health,” said Tracey Brown, one of the ‘no’ side organizers. “The BC Ministry of Health Dental Survey Report from May of this year supports this fact.”
Brown said the ‘no’ side was cautiously optimistic going into the referendum and is pleased with the “decisive” vote.
Brown said they believe many factors went into a successful ‘no’ vote in the referendum.
“First, many people are better informing themselves about their health and wellness and coming to understand that everything we choose to eat and drink impacts our overall health,” she said. “The addition of hydrofluorosilicic acid to the water removes that choice. The ineffectiveness and inefficiency of water fluoridation are other factors that affected the vote.”
She added that 97 per cent of the province is not fluoridated and yet B.C. has the best dental health in the country.
“Education supports good dental health, not fluoridation,” she said.
Brown added that, even though the referendum is not binding on city council, they are confident council will decide to stop fluoridation.
“The newly elected mayor and council have publicly stated that they would abide by the results of the referendum,” she said. “Mayor-elect Hall has stated repeatedly that one of his goals is to reconnect council with the community and the community has clearly spoken on this topic. We look forward to council acting quickly to end water fluoridation in Prince George.”
And, Hall has said he will support the referendum result.
“The referendum was designed to give the public an opportunity to voice their position,” said mayor-elect Lyn Hall in a Free Press questionnaire during the campaign.
“I will support the outcome of the referendum.”
posted by Bill at
10:10 AM
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