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Scientists criticize “misleading and untruthful” information

Ottawa – While the world’s attention is focused on Copenhagen for the Climate Change Conference, back at home Sierra Club Canada and the Rideau Institute are calling on Prime Minister Harper to stop funding an organization that promotes denial of climate change. The Chrysotile Institute is a registered lobby group for the asbestos industry, and has taken a page from the tobacco and oil industry playbook by spreading misinformation about the notorious health effects of their product. In addition to the clearly toxic nature of their product, they are now promoting the work of prominent climate change denier Christopher Booker on their web site. To make matters worse, the federal government has given the Chrysotile $20 million in funding.

Mr. Booker calls global warming and the health impacts of chrysotile asbestos (which represents 100% of the global asbestos trade) hoaxes. Booker was rated one of the world’s top ten climate change deniers by well-known journalist George Monbiot.

“Only a few days ago Minister Prentice told the Commons Environment Committee he believes in science-based policy. Yet, his government is paying a lobby group to spread discredited misinformation and promote climate change denial,” said John Bennett, executive director of Sierra Club Canada.

Despite a direct appeal from Canadian scientists to Prime Minister Harper in January this year to stop funding what they termed the Chrysotile Institute’s “misleading and untruthful” information, the government continues to fund the Institute.

Furthermore, according to documents the Institute filed this year with the Lobbyists Registry, Natural Resources Canada appoints a representative to the Institute’s board of directors. The government denies this but neither the government nor the Institute have answered requests for the names of the Institute’s board members.

“We call on you to immediately cut funding to, support of and participation in the Chrysotile Institute,” said Kathleen Ruff, senior human rights advisor to the Rideau Institute. “It is unacceptable to Canadians and people around the world that your government would in any way fund and support climate change denial, helping to delay action on this urgent global issue.”

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