RELEASE: Canadian officials are acting as globe-trotting propagandists for the asbestos industry

OTTAWA - NDP MPs condemned the Conservative government today, for opposing UN efforts to have Canadian asbestos listed as a toxic substance requiring “Prior Informed Consent”? under the Rotterdam Convention, and for their continued financial support of the asbestos industry. This will be the third time Canada will have used its diplomatic influence to keep chrysotile asbestos off the Rotterdam Convention list.

“Once again, Canadian officials are acting as globe-trotting propagandists for the asbestos industry,”? said NDP MP Pat Martin criticizing the Tories for sending Department of Justice lawyers to Geneva to keep asbestos off the Rotterdam Convention list. “It’s bad enough Canada is still one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of asbestos, but it’s morally and ethically reprehensible to prevent listing asbestos as hazardous, especially when we export 220,000 tonnes a year into under-developed and third world countries.”?

Most developed nations including the European Union, Japan, and Australia have banned asbestos leaving Canada with fewer markets. Canada aggressively promotes the toxic material through our embassies and foreign mission and by funding the Chrysotile Institute (formerly known as the Asbestos Institute).

“Asbestos is the single greatest industrial killer the world has ever known,”? said Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins James Bay. “There is no such thing as “safe use”? in countries where virtually no workplace safety and health regulations exist.”?

“It makes me sick that my tax dollar is being used to promote and defend the asbestos industry. I condemn our government for supporting them,”? said Martin, a former asbestos miner.

Both MPs point out that Canada may have a tougher fight this time due to recent developments; both the WHO and the ILO have come out with very strong positions against all forms of asbestos in 2006 and the European Union’s total ban took effect in 2005.

“The asbestos industry is the tobacco industry’s evil twin,”? said Angus. “Both made a fortune through lies, deceit, cover-ups and tainted research. But the jig is up for both of them. There’s no way my Government should be propping up an industry that deserves to die a natural death before it contaminates the rest of the planet.”?

The United Nations meetings on the Rotterdam Convention will take place in Geneva Oct. 9, 10, and 11.