Dear editor,

We are new immigrants to the Comox Valley and pleased to see the Record giving an even-handed voice to/from our neighbors.

Terry Elliot鈥檚 letter (Depicting Action4Canada as a hate group is a hate crime in itself, Nov.15 Record) gave a thoughtful, if impassioned response to the writer stating her beliefs the previous week (Action4Canada visit an embarrassing moment for the Comox Valley, Nov. 8 Record).

Disagreement and discussion are vital to a democracy and seem to have become a sad casualty amongst friends, colleagues and even family in the last few years.

I hold our elected officials primarily responsible, starting with the federal Liberal government. And I鈥檓 not even addressing their fiscal incompetence. They need to go and whomever replaces them, may integrity, honesty and courage become the new hallmark.

Life is tough enough for many Canadians and the Comox Valley is no exception. Put us down for tolerance and open discourse.

Dale Peters,

Comox