PUBLIC HEARING

Dan Amortand, member, United Auto Workers Union; board member, Great Lakes United

I live in the beautiful state of Michigan and my love of the Great Lakes is so immense that I feel very blessed every time I enjoy the magnificent splendour of their beauty. The issue I would like to speak to you about today is the absurd practice of transboudary shipping of municipal waste. Currently, Michigan is third on the list of states that import garbage from other states and even from other countries. For example the city of Toronto presently sends a large percentage of their municipal waste across the border for disposal in Michigan's landfills and incinerators. As Americans, we love our Canadian neighbours, but that doesn't necessary mean we love their garbage. Therefore, I would urge the IJC strongly recommend to both Canada and the United States that their governments improve their waste reduction efforts which in turn lessen the impact on our landfills and incinerators. We must stop the insane practice of making Michigan a dumping grounds for the entire Great Lakes basin.

Finally, I want to emphatically state that I am opposed to renegotiating the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Agreement should be maintained, implemented, and lived up to by both governments to ensure the protection and quality of our sweet water seas. Labour unions, First Nation groups, environmental activists, governments, and industry as well must work together to ensure the health and safety of our Great Lakes, a precious natural resource which we all love so dearly. Thank you.

Commissioner Chamberlin

Thank you very much. Is there anyone else who would like to make a statement to the Commission on the progress of governments, please come forward.