THE EDITOR, Sir:
SPLASHED ACROSS the front page of the most prestigious national newspaper in Canada this past weekend was the disturbing image of a Summit of the Americas protester, bloodied and shouting, being carted off by masked and shielded riot police.
I believe Canada's international reputation as a staunch defender of democracy and human rights has been seriously tarnished by recent events in Quebec City.
Perhaps we need now to prove to the world that Canada's pro-trade agenda is also pro-development. One way would be for the Canadian government to implement an idea already endorsed by both the Italian government and the European Community that of allowing the world's poorest nations unfettered access to the markets of the world's richest.
A non-reciprocal waiver of all tariffs on any goods which come into Canada from the world's 49 least developed countries would not pose a major competitive problem for Canadian industry. It would, however, represent the equivalent of an immediate 25 per cent rise in foreign aid to poorer nations providing, for example, much needed money for basic health services and education programmes.
My Canada, a Canada I still believe to be a peaceable and caring land of plenty, can well afford to make this investment in our global future.
I am etc.,
DEB IRELAND
E-mail:
d-ireland@uniserve.com
9588 Menzies Street
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
