‘Fair-weather friends’

Dear Editor:

Fellow Canadians: I am proud of our country, its historic place on the world stage, not as a military power, but more so as a peacekeeping nation who advances improvement and development of countries.

I am talking about Cuba. How many Canadians have travelled there? Enjoying the warm winter climate, the sandy beaches, the genuine hospitality and the cheap prices. Cuba has its charms and its people are warm and welcoming. 

Then why are these hardworking kind people being abandoned by most of the Western hemisphere? Is it because of economical tariff reasons solely? If so what does that say about us as a nation? 

Search on YouTube what’s happening in Cuba today to find out and decide whether you are on board with what is being done? I am a little more aware than most, as I have friends there and have been sending money so they can buy food. 

Regularly I hear the mantra: “no electricity, no water, desalination plants need power to operate. It’s very hot and there are horrendous amounts of mosquitos and flies, no garbage sanitation, no fuel. An hour a day of power to run the water plants and fill all your containers, cause no one knows when the electricity will return!”

I am not getting involved in the politics of the situation, but is Canada proud of its apparent inaction thus far? Do we continue to turn a blind eye to bullying or do we hold our moral ground and compass? 

We have been taught in the past little while about putting all our trade eggs in one basket. 

Cuba offers agricultural opportunities for Canadians seeking fresh produce. They export doctors and medical technology and migratory farm workers.

I would like to know what Canada is doing to assist in this Cuban manufactured humanitarian crisis? Are we sending food, medical supplies, anything? Will Canada step up or are we just fair-weather friends? Let’s start the discussion. 

A motion at the UN could gain support. What is being done? I would love to know.

Lou Maieron,
Erin