For immediate release: April 26, 2011<\/p>\n
Groups make toxic mineral an election issue \u201cPut people\u2019s lives ahead of politics, Mr Harper,\u201d groups urge. <\/em><\/p>\n In an open letter sent today, over twenty health, union and environmental organisations call on Prime Minister Harper to end his support for the asbestos trade.<\/p>\n Harper is today holding his second rally in Asbestos, Quebec (population around 7,000 in a country of 33 million), seeking votes by promoting himself as the political leader most dedicated to the asbestos industry.<\/p>\n \u201cWe call on you to put people\u2019s lives ahead of politics,\u201d said Dr Kapil Khatter of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. \u201cCanada\u2019s leading medical authorities have all told you that the export of asbestos is medically and morally indefensible and will lead to an epidemic of asbestos-related disease and death overseas.\u201d<\/p>\n Canada was the world\u2019s biggest asbestos exporter in the last century, but the asbestos industry is now bankrupt and about to die out. The last operating asbestos mine in Canada is in Thetford Mines, Quebec. It is under bankruptcy protection and is laying off some of its 350 workers because its asbestos deposit will soon be exhausted.<\/p>\n \u201cPublic policy should be based on science, not on politics,\u201d said Christian Simard, executive director, Nature Qu\u00e9bec. \u201cThe science is indisputable that all forms of asbestos are deadly. Not a single reputable authority supports P.M. Harper\u2019s policy that asbestos can be safely used.<\/p>\n \u201cCanada is becoming known as an immoral asbestos pusher and as an enemy of global public health,\u201d said Kathleen Ruff, senior human rights adviser to the Rideau Institute. \u201cThis is not the role Canadians want to play in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Harper has promised to block an upcoming meeting of the U.N. Environmental Convention (Rotterdam Convention) so as to prevent chrysotile asbestos being listed as a hazardous substance. Chrysotile asbestos represents 100% of the global asbestos trade.<\/p>\n \u201cP.M. Harper is the only national leader in Canada and in the Western world to promote asbestos,\u201d said Dr Khatter. \u201cThis election is about trust and integrity. We are urgently pleading with P.M. Harper: Show integrity by respecting the science and put human life ahead of partisan political interests. We hope he will listen.\u201d<\/p>\n INFORMATION: <\/strong> SIGNATORIES OF THE OPEN LETTER TO PM HARPER:
\nHealth Organizations, Unions push Harper on Asbestos Ban <\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDr Kapil Khatter, khatter7@gmail.com, 613-864-9591
\nKathleen Ruff, kruff@bulkley.net, 250-847-1848
\nChristian Simard, direction@naturequebec.org, (418) 931-1131<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Rideau Institute
\nCanadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
\nNature Qu\u00e9bec
\nInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers,\u00a0Canada
\nSierra Club Canada
\nInternational Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada
\nMa\u00eetres chez nous-21e si\u00e8cle, Qu\u00e9bec
\nSyndicat des d\u00e9bardeurs de Montr\u00e9al, SCFP Section locale 375
\nBritish Columbia & Yukon Territory Building & Construction Trades Council
\nPrevent Cancer Now
\nAtlantic Coast District, International Longshoremen\u2019s Association
\nCanadian Society for Asbestos Victims
\nMiningWatch Canada
\nAsbestos-related Research, Education and Advocacy Fund
\nBoilermakers Lodge 359
\nSheet Metal Local 280
\nInternational Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local #2
\nBCBC Ferry & Marine Worker\u2019s Union
\nIBEW Local 993, Northern B.C. & Yukon
\nI L A, Local 1657, \u00a0Montr\u00e9al
\nInternational Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115<\/p>\n