Open letter to the Economic Minister of Canada:

During this time of slow and slowing economic growth, high priced vegetables caused by drought in California, and the low value of the Canadian dollar, I think economic stimulus to produce more of our own fresh produce would be a very good area to focus on.

Apparently we are awash in natural gas, the highest cost of which is not the gas itself but the delivery fees.In areas where gas is easily accessible and the climates are moderately warm year-round, farmers that already have greenhouses should expand and more farmers should go into the endeavour.

The federal government should help them with economic stimulus funds to create our own year-round fresh produce.

Instead of borrowing large sums of money to stimulate the economy, perhaps the interest rates, building costs and delivery cost of natural gas could be lowered or eliminated to farmers that are interested to start or those who would like to expand.

The benefits are fresh produce year-round, a use for a large amount of natural gas, and the stimulation of the economy in the farming community.

R. Christianson, Kelowna