To the Editor:
One must be absolutely cynical or completely daft to take as partners in helping the poor of the third world the Canadian mining companies exploiting their resources. Yet this is the approach revealed recently by the Harper government through its Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino.
Whether cynical or daft, the Harper government will divert Canadian development assistance for the poor to companies whose interests are opposite - in principle and practice - to the well-being of these people. There are numerous evidences and testimonies in this regard, which are very embarrassing...
Mr. Harper knows the role played by multinationals in the impoverishment of several third world countries. He also knows this new approach is a dangerous right turn in favor of the very rich, whose first victims, in the truest sense, will be the poorest of the world.
I hope pressures from the public, from opposition parties and even from members of their own party will force Harper Conservatives to adopt a much more human approach. Assistance to the poor is fragile and must go to the poor and to nobody else!
Bruno Marquis, Gatineau QC.
