Editor, the Times:

Most recently my husband purchased a small light fixture at Walmart, the cost of which was $10.89.

Not a bad price, but wait a moment - add the environmental fee of $0.85, the Hydro fee of $3.96 and top all that off with the HST of $1.89. I can't believe that Hydro especially can get away with a fee like that on an $11 item. It nearly gave me a stroke.

Now that light fixture cost $17.68.

The Hydro cost being over 30 per cent of the cost of the seemingly inexpensive item is taking food from the mouths of the poor. I would consider a light fixture a necessity, wouldn't you?

Would the politicians please add that extra $6 to my pension cheque next month? It would be put to better use.

Aina Baron Abbotsford