Dear Editor;

On October 7th, 2014, Fluoridation Free Owen Sound received notification that it is illegal to distribute our anti-fluoride materials and buttons because we failed to register our opposition to the campaign before September 12th, 2014. Therefore, if we hand out our anti-fluoride materials (paid for by our personal funds), we would be in contravention of the Municipal Elections Act, where the penalty under section 94 (1) is a fine up to $25,000 or six months in prison.

Thus, on Oct 8th and all subsequent All Candidates meetings, the Public Health Unit, using taxpayers' dollars, was and will be the exclusive distributer of their pro-fluoride material.

Council was well aware that we intended to mount a public education around fluoride, but we were never advised of the need to register.

The Public Health Unit's pro-fluoride material contains no scientific data but just merely opinions from the medical establishment. As a microbiologist, this profoundly concerns me.

The warning label on my fluoridated toothpaste: Recommended for adults and children over 12 years. Do not swallow. Keep out of reach of children under 6 years. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Centre immediately.

The public is entitled to hear both sides of the fluoride debate.

Marjorie Shu
Owen Sound