Henk Tepper says Ottawa did nothing to get him released from Lebanese jail

During the 373 days he spent in a Lebanese jail on allegations he tried to export rotten potatoes to Algeria, Henk Tepper says the day his daughter graduated from high school was among the most difficult.

The farmer from New Brunswick spoke for the first time about his ordeal on Wednesday, blaming the federal government for not doing enough to help get his release as he became increasingly depressed at the prospect of facing trial in Algeria.

Tepper was released after his lawyers and Lebanese justice officials found a legal avenue to send him back to Canada.

Since arriving home, Tepper has been planting this year's crop and trying to sort out the financial problems that have plagued his companies during his absence.

Tepper's farming operation was placed under creditor protection while his family and lawyers worked on a plan to deal with $11 million in debt.

In March, Judge Lucie LaVigne of the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench approved a restructuring plan that merged Tepper's eight companies into one.

On Wednesday, Tepper said two of his companies were allowed to go bankrupt and he's had to sell some land and equipment as he works with his bank and creditors.