Canadian joins Filipinos’ call on Canada’s ‘garbage export’

Apropos to the letter titled “Where is Trudeau’s ‘Canadian solution’?” (Opinion, 2/12/16), I wish to extend my heartfelt support, as a Canadian citizen, for the initiatives taken by Aileen Lucero and others in the Philippines and strongly condemn the dumping of waste from another country in this beautiful country. In fact, as a matter of principle, I protest the dumping of wastes by developed nations in developing and underdeveloped nations.

The Canadian government has been good for truckloads of false promises on various issues, promises made not only to Canadians but to peoples across the world. The long-standing humanitarian, supportive, responsible and committed nature of our national government has been changing over the past couple of decades, with no comprehensive and consistent “Canadian solution” provided to any national and international issues.

It is extremely unfortunate and unacceptable that successive Canadian governments have not taken any appropriate action with respect to the waste dumped in the Philippines; furthermore, that no technical or financial package has been provided by the Canadian government to help in disposing the waste and protecting the local environment.

Once again, I voice my strong concern and extend my support to the people in the Philippines in their efforts to bring this unfortunate issue to a just resolution. I sincerely believe that every nation should be treated equally, and both Canada and the Philippines should work in close coordination in dealing with the waste at issue to protect the local ecosystems and environment from degradation.

Thanks to the Inquirer for highlighting this important issue. It has informed us about the waste dumping incident as very few in Canada are aware of it.

—SAIKAT KUMAR BASU, Apt 6-409, 43 Street South, Lethbridge AB Canada T1J 4B3