Trudeau says “theoretically possible” to retrieve tons of waste in Philippines

November 14, 2017

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said it is “theoretically possible” to get back tons of Canadian waste shipment to the Philippines but he added "there are still a number of questions around".

“We had legal barriers and restriction that prevented us from being able to take it back. Those regulations and impediments have now been addressed so it is now theoretically possible to get it back but there are still a number of question around: who will pay for, where the financial responsibility is, where the consequence are,” said Trudeau, who attended the Association and Southeast Asian Nations Summit and other Related Summits.

In 2013, fifty containers of waste from Canada were impounded by Philippine customs authorities.

Manila made its objection through at least two diplomatic notes to the Canadian government.

“This has something that has root in private business and signing contracts having specific disputes,” said Trudeau.

In 2015, Trudeau, who was also in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, assured the Philippine government Canada is finding a solution.

Trudeau said he discussed the waste problem with Duterte in a one-on-one meeting, where he gave an assurance that Canada “will continue to work on this.”

“Canada is very open to working with the government of the Philippines to resolve this question,” he said. DMS