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Returned trash is a symbol of our pollution problem

Editor: The garbage ship that arrived in Delta is a sign that we need to step up.

Editor:

The garbage ship that arrived in Delta is a sign that we need to step up.

Just as Canadians were gearing up to celebrate their nation’s birthday, 1,500 tonnes of trash were arriving at the Deltaport, set to meet their fate at a Burnaby mass incineration facility.

After attempting to use the Philippines as a Canadian trash can, the overseas nation has taken a stand by rejecting the garbage and sending it back to where it came from. To add insult to injury, Canada declared a state of climate emergency only two weeks ago. How coincidental is this? Embarrassingly, we have a pollution problem.

The Canadian government was quick to name Chronic Inc., a private corporation, responsible for the illegal dumping in the Philippines. However, Canada is still slow to state how Chronic Inc. will be held accountable.

It is wrong that the current government does not compel corporate accountability for committing these environmental atrocities. I am outraged that corporate environmental crimes are brushed under the rug, simultaneously as climate health is fronted as an utmost priority to citizens.

We pride ourselves as a nation that loves and respects our nature and ecosystem. It is time to push for the New Green Deal in Canada, and demand protection of our nature and climate in the face of these corporate giants.

Tara Korber