Dear Editor:
In the Okanagan, we are dependent on seasonal labour to harvest the fruit and vegetable crops grown here.
I am disturbed by some of the local attitudes to these workers.
They were referred to in recent Summerland Facebook group posts regarding a missing dog as “Frenchies” and “piece of crap transient French pickers.”
Vilifying individuals because of the language that they speak, their age or the type of work that they do is a very slippery slope.
Young people choose seasonal work for many reasons including the opportunity to travel to other parts of their own country or the world.
They include many students who hope that seasonal work will be a fun and exciting way to earn money over the summer.
I was a tree planter when I was younger and that job allowed me the opportunity to see parts of B.C. that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
I would like to see Okanagan communities put more effort into providing these workers with adequate housing including camping and shower and washing facilities.
We need them, so let’s show them more respect.
Lesley Field
Summerland