Re: "Central Saanich has no say on Tsawout overpass plans," Feb. 15.

As a resident of Central Saanich, I would like to express my concern about the proposed interchange on the Pat Bay highway allowing a shopping centre to be constructed on Tsawout First Nation land.

The Municipality of Central Saanich has a modest population and is agricultural in nature. Its residents have chosen not to follow the path of commercialization that areas such as Langford have chosen.

Governments should not aid the Tsawout in changing the rural nature of Central Saanich. We do not have a large population here and a shopping centre of any substantial size would threaten the existing businesses as well.

I also am concerned about the message that allowing the Tsawout to proceed with this project would send to other First Nation bands and to non-aboriginal business owners. Will we see reserve land swallowed up by non-aboriginal businesses who will pay no taxes to local governments, and put out of business those enterprises currently on nonnative land?

And where will First Nations people construct their homes with many reserves already crowded?

Bill Wilson

Saanichton