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Japan gives Canada $1 mil for tsunami debris cleanup

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@AJHC78 BOOOO! we don't deserve the freakn money

0 ( +0 / -0 )

matty - refusing a gift of gratitude from Japan would be a slap in the face and undiplomatic to say the least.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hardly Japans fault was it...Canada should refuse ( give incorrect BACs details) or hand back to the Japanese Red Cross....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

TrevorPeace2Mar. 14, 2013 - 10:45AM JST sfjp330: I think you're right, that as a whole Canadians are 'wonderful people', but Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, not an island.

I know it's in Vancouver Island. Many Canadians volunteer from Vancouver area and took ferries from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwasen to Duke Point (near Nanaimo) or directly to Victoria to help cleanup operations the debris from the western part of the island. The cost of the ferry is close to $100.00. The least the Canadian or Japanese goverment could do is to reinburse the ferry cost for their volunteers.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Give the money to the Sea Shepherd, via Canada. ha

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Governments shouldn't be giving money to begin with. If Canada accepts the cash and then donates it to Tohoku it'll create an endless giving game of money or sweets.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wikipedia facts about Canadian forces (the people would likely be sent to handle a domestic disaster) Army- 41,500 total, Navy- 13,600 total, Air Force- 17,100 total. With no disrespect to my Canadian brothers and sisters, those numbers are only large enough the send over a support force of about 5,000 troops max. As for the offer, the best thing Canada can do is accept the offer. then make a 1 millon dollar donation to the prefecture of Fukushima. That way, by Japanese logic, the offer was accepted, and the Canadian government/ people don't feel they are taking away from the reconstruction effort.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree with Steven Mcgrew - this money could go towards helping the many people who will be in temporary shelters for many years to come. We in Canada would much rather this be done - our government wastes so much money - 1 million dollars will not go far to clean up all this debris that has just barely started to arrive on our shores - the worst is yet to arrive. If we can spend billions fighting a war in Afghanistan, we can spend millions cleaning up the debris of this terrible disaster that hit Japan - our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Japan who are still coming to grips with losing so much two years ago - so many lost loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods. We in Canada can find tax dollars to clean up this debris.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When help someone it's important to let them return the favor. Especially Japanese since they're big on that sort of thing. The donation was more symbolic than anything since the money probably came from the millions given to Japan by Canada.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This is just some more government insanity.....That one million dollars could/would/should be spent on those still living in shelters and the other displaced Japanese citizens. Isn't it amazing how easily governments toss money to one another yet fail in the basic government function of serving their citizens..Some say it is only $1 million dollars and that in the grand scale of government spending is a pittance,that may be true but it is still money that has been miss appropriated by any degree of decency.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Declining the offer would be declining the offer of thanks. It's not about the money -- and the money not being much proves that. Canada did not ASK for it, Japan is OFFERING it. Polite as I'm sure any declining would be, it would be a slap in the face to a face-saving country.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I have about this on a Canadian news site and a lot of people have the sentiment that Canada should decline the offer. I think that with the amount offered, it is more of a sign of mutal support and to create good ties to people who will be directly affected by the incoming debris. Depending on the amount of debris, it can cost much more and many people's livelihoods may be affected by invasive species if they aren't taken care of quickly. Everyone understands that it was a natural disaster and Japan didn't intentionally send everything afloat, but Japan also understands that it may cause some tension if they didn't offer to help at all. I think it is a good gesture that should be graciously accepted.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This Canadian soon to be in Japan for a few months says:

JonathanJo asks: "Should Canada politely accept, or politely decline? That's a tricky one." No tricky about it Jonathan. Politely decline.

sfjp330: I think you're right, that as a whole Canadians are 'wonderful people', but Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, not an island.

LH10: about that musical performance...not AKB48, I trust?

As to the so-called Canadians who bemoan the Canadian government for this that and the other thing, go to another forum.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

subyyakiMAR. 14, 2013 - 09:27AM JST

My Canadian Gov't did basically nothing to support Japan after this disaster. The federal government sent some blankets and also gave this support very late in the process as well. Almost all support came from Canadians, not their government. Shame on Harper yet again. I apologize to the people of Japan who need this money to buy safe food and shelter.

Very late in the process? The planes were off the ground 12 hours after it was announced they'd do it, March 15th. Yes, 4 days may be a lot, but it doesn't sound like very late in the process? Also, based on what you said...the Canadian Government reached out to the Japanese foreign minister within 24 hours of the event and offered support with teams of technicians and gear for the nuclear emergency.

Please don't distort facts to press a personal agenda against the current prime minister.

Canada could have helped more, yes, but they did help. I think this million should be accepted but I love the "pay it forward" mentality in earlier posts. Either by returning the favor to the Japanese homeland, or by developing more cultural infrastructure inside our own country for Japanese-Canadians. We could use that well to develop homegrown interest and support. :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

My Canadian Gov't did basically nothing to support Japan after this disaster. The federal government sent some blankets and also gave this support very late in the process as well. Almost all support came from Canadians, not their government. Shame on Harper yet again. I apologize to the people of Japan who need this money to buy safe food and shelter.

subyyaki - utter bleeding heart nonsense. The Canadian gov't offered any assistance needed to Japan. Since Canada doesn't have a standing army/navy on these shores like the US, what else can we do for the world's 2nd biggest economy? By the way, it appears the Japanese government doesn't agree with your silly conclusion that Canada "did nothing";

Japanese Consul General Seiji Okada said the grant “represents a token of gratitude to the government of Canada and the Canadian people in recognition of the tremendous support provided to Japan” in the wake of the tsunami.

It sounds to me more like you have personal issues with Harper's politics. No need to drag Canada's name through the mud with lies to get a dig in.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Thanks Japan!

A grateful Canadian.
0 ( +3 / -3 )

Canada should accept and then share aid to Fukushima in the way of fish and organic meat

Yeah, because there's nothing more the people of Fukushima need more than "organic meat" (as opposed to inorganic meat?) and fish.

and technology for growing food in greenhouses.

I think just about any country has the "technology for growing food in greenhouses".

Good on Japan for doing this, but Canada should say "thanks, but no thanks" and politely refuse.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

proxy: "The least that Canada could do in light of the disaster to to pay to clean up the mess that washes ashore; shame on Canada."

The shame is yours, my friend. It is clearly stated that the money is in recognition of Canada's support to Japan in the wake of the disasters. What's more, how much do you think $1M really is and how much cost it will cover? Not much. It's more a gesture than anything, and one that I think both sides can appreciate.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

My Canadian Gov't did basically nothing to support Japan after this disaster. The federal government sent some blankets and also gave this support very late in the process as well. Almost all support came from Canadians, not their government. Shame on Harper yet again. I apologize to the people of Japan who need this money to buy safe food and shelter.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

why the hell? japan! i'm Canadian and i wouldn't accept the money because your people in japan NEED IT MORE have you forgotten them? == give us a musical performance NOT YOUR MONEY TT hope my gov. sends japan some help over there.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

As a Canadian, I truly hope that the money is forwarded to the people in Tohoku who are in need.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

People gave tsunami support governments are lining pockets, albeit only 1m. Japan will buy coal and gas from Canada so there are working together on many fronts.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Proxy, the article clearly states:

the grant represents a token of gratitude to the government of Canada and the Canadian people in recognition of the tremendous support provided to Japan in the wake of the tsunami.

Canada should be ashamed of providing tremendous support, and having that support appreciated?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

proxyMar. 14, 2013 - 07:42AM JST The least that Canada could do in light of the disaster to to pay to clean up the mess that washes ashore; shame on Canada.

This is Japan's problem. What is $1 million going to do? Hardly nothing. The cleanup by the Canadian goverment will probably end up costing $5-$10 million dollars. Maybe Japan should be more realistic on what the actual cost of cleanup and they should take more responsiblity. Looks like Japan is penny pinching. The Victoria island area is one of the most beautiful areas of North America. The Canadians are wonderful people and they are proud of keeping the place clean and natural.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Proxy, why shame on Canada! the article didn't state that Canada has demanded money from Japan, perhaps this is a gesture of good will between Pacific Ocean partners. One million dollars is not a lot in the grand scheme of things, and I'm sure Canada has donated much more for the earthquake and disaster. I think this will make Japan look very positive in the eyes of the international community.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

The least that Canada could do in light of the disaster to to pay to clean up the mess that washes ashore; shame on Canada.

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

Canada should accept and then share aid to Fukushima in the way of fish and organic meat.. and technology for growing food in greenhouses.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Should Canada politely accept, or politely decline? That's a tricky one.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

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