Asbestos Action Alert – Fall 2011

BACKGROUND

Montreal businessman, Baljit S. Chadha, has exported asbestos from Québec to Asia for the past 16 years. He is seeking to open a new asbestos mine in Québec to export vast more quantities of asbestos.

In October 2009, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APFC), a prominent think-tank and research organization, appointed Mr. Chadha as a Distinguished Fellow. The APFC website states: “Baljit Chadha has long been a close friend and supporter of the Foundation … We are fortunate to be able to draw on Mr. Chadha’s extensive experience as a successful businessperson, public policy thinker, and community leader, and we look forward to working with him.” (source)

CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS

1. Mr. Chadha has repeatedly stated that the overwhelming scientific evidence today supports use of chrysotile asbestos. This is the opposite of the truth. Leading medical authorities in Canada & around the world have called for chrysotile asbestos to be banned. Chrysotile asbestos represents 95% of all the asbestos every used in the world and today represents 100% of the global asbestos trade.
2. Mr. Chadha and his public relations agents have repeatedly stated that the World Health Organization supports continued use of chrysotile asbestos. This is the opposite of the truth. The World Health Organization opposes use of chrysotile asbestos and has requested that Mr. Chadha’s false information be corrected.
3. Mr. Chadha has repeatedly stated that those who oppose use of asbestos, such as the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Cancer Society, trade unionists & health defenders, are corrupt and being paid to oppose asbestos. It is a disreputable tactic to use unfounded slurs as a means to avoid the facts.

ACTION REQUEST

Mr. Chadha’s term as a Distinguished Fellow is apparently about to expire. However, he will be able for ever to describe himself as a former “Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.” Mr. Chadha’s conduct is unworthy of someone who has been honoured by the APFC as a Distinguished Fellow. It brings the Foundation into disrepute.

PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL to APFC President, Yuen Pau Woo, and Chairman, John H. McArthur, and ask them to repudiate Mr. Chadha’s conduct as not meeting the standards expected from a person appointed as a Distinguished Fellow and revoke the honour. Below find some asbestos facts to help you with your letter.

Please also SEND AN EMAIL to Baljit S. Chadha. Let him know how you feel about his asbestos exporting business.

Thanks for your consideration.
– The Prevent Cancer Now Team

ASBESTOS FACTS:

• According to the World Health Organization, more than 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related disease.
• Asbestos is the “perfect carcinogen” as it acts as both a promoter and initiator of cancer.
• Exposure to asbestos has been linked to several diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
• At the recent conference of the UN Rotterdam Convention in Geneva, the Harper government single-handedly prevented asbestos from being put on the Convention’s list of hazardous substances.
• Newly released documents show that back in 2006 the Canadian government rejected advice from Health Canada that asbestos be added to the UN list of hazardous substances.
• Billions of dollars will be spent over the next 20 years to remove asbestos from our Parliament Buildings because it’s a cancer-causing substance.
• Canada mines and ships the majority of its asbestos to the Third World, particularly Asia. The world’s leading experts predict that the sharp increase in asbestos use in Asia will see a surge of mortality and morbidity in the decades ahead.

Visit our Asbestos Campign webpage for more information