The anti-fluoride plebiscite campaign in Owen Sound deserves respect, not derision, Mayor Deb Haswell said today.
"I am deeply disturbed by any disrespect shown to these citizens by municipal candidates, public officials or other citizens," Haswell said.
In 2007, a Scottish bioethics panel of experts concluded that local and regional democratic processes are the most appropriate way to decide whether to fluoridate, as there is evidence for and against" Haswell stated.
"In the past ten years, 41 communities in Canada have decided against fluoridation of tap water, including Orillia, Thunder Bay, Niagara Region and Calgary. Vancouver decided against the practice 50 years ago.
"The scientific and public health establishment supports tap water fluoridation. A minority of respected scientists question the practice and offer counter-evidence," Haswell stated.
"Council set this plebiscite believing that democracy is the best way to decide the issue, the Mayor said.
