CANADA VOWS TO RESOLVE GARBAGE ISSUE WITH PH

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said yesterday that his country is committed to resolve the issue of the garbage shipment that was sent to the Philippines in 2013.

Trudeau, in a press conference at the International Media Center at the World Trade Convention Center in Pasay City, acknowledged that the garbage shipment is an issue that Canada has been trying to resolve.

According to the Prime Minister, he has raised the issue with President Duterte and committed that Canada will work to get the garbage back.

“I know it has been a longstanding irritant and I committed to him, and I’m happy to commit to all of you now that Canada is very much engaged in finding a solution on that,” he said.

Trudeau explained that Canada was not able to collect the garbage back due to legal restrictions in their country which he noted have been resolved.

“One of the early barriers was the Canadian legal regulations, which prevented us from receiving the waste back in Canada, even though it originally came from us,” he said.

“Those regulations and impediments have now been addressed but there are still a number of questions like who will pay for, what are the consequences,” he added.

Trudeau said that the shipment was a result of a private transaction and that the Canadian government was not involved. “This is a private transaction that does not involve the government,” he said.

Fifty-five container vans of garbage from Canada were discovered by Customs authorities at the port in Manila. The shipments were allowed into the country because they were allegedly disguised as recyclable plastics.

Trudeau is in the Philippines to participate in the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits, including the East Asia Summit.