A veteran Sarnia politician says it was a very productive trip while attending a three-day conference in Beirut, Lebanon.
Dave Boushy was among a select group of people of Lebanese descent, chosen by Canadian embassies around the world to attend.
He met with the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Cameron and discussed a possible mini-trade mission to sell Canadian technologies in return for Lebanese products.
"She asked me to communicate with big players and explore the project further. If they expressed interest, both the Canadian embassy and Lebanese embassy, can work jointly to proceed to make it happen."
Boushy says Lebanon's climate is much like California, so some of the 'mini-trade' products could include oranges, apples, grapes, etc.
The second topic of discussion was in regards to 100,000 children being born in the area without birth certificates.
"There's a charge and they can't afford the fees," he says. "They will grow up without identity and would be difficult to hire them, and they won't be able to get schooling and jobs."
The veteran Sarnia politician was also able to visit the house he was born in during his trip, which no longer has a roof but only free-standing walls.
Boushy has served some 40 years in politics as a city councillor and former MPP.
