ASBESTOS UPDATE
December 16, 2010
- Asian Solidarity Delegation to Stop Asbestos Mining in Québec visits Canada
- David Suzuki Foundation Email Campaign
- Stop the Jeffrey Mine Fax Campaign
- Who’s keeping the Canadian asbestos industry alive?
- Two Tory staffers tried to block access to info re; Asbestos
- Photos from the Asian Solidarity Delegation to Stop Asbestos Mining in Québec
- Nature Magazine, Editorial
- Message from Dr. Joshi, a world recognized expert on occupational health in India
- GBAN “Voices on the Wall” Campaign
Asian Solidarity Delegation to Stop Asbestos Mining in Québec visits Canada
The Asian Solidarity Delegation to Stop Asbestos Mining in Québec visit to Canada was an enormous success.
Québec’s export of asbestos and the Jeffrey mine are now firmly on the radar as a major public issue (in Canada and abroad) thanks to tonnes of media coverage.
There were press conferences in Montreal, Québec City and Ottawa, and public rallies and events in Montreal and Québec City.
The delegation met with the Minister of Economic Development, Clément Gignac (the minister responsible for the Jeffrey mine) and six senior bureaucrats – who remained totally silent. Gignac admitted that so-called ‘rigorous standards’ promised by the government and consortium of investors pertain to only 1% of the life-span of Québec’s asbestos. When asked about the other 99% of the life-span, the minister admitted it was up to the importing country.
The delegation also met with the Parti Québécois, but unfortunately it was clear that neither public health nor international justice would change their official pro-Jeffrey mine position. Same result for a meeting with the Québec Union Federation that represents asbestos miners. QUF simply parroted the misinformation of the Chrysotile Institute, with which it works closely.
The delegation had a great meeting with the leader of the Québec Solidaire party – who later tabled a bill in the National Assembly to ban the mining and export of asbestos.
A vigil/demonstration was held outside Premier Charest’s office in Montreal. You can see some photos here.
Note: A big thanks to Kathleen Ruff for her tireless work – this update is based entirely on her great news updates.
For more information visit the Prevent Cancer Now BAN ASBESTOS CAMPAIGN WEBPAGE
David Suzuki Foundation Email Campaign
The David Suzuki Foundation has launched an email campaign to Prime Minister Harper and Premier Charest to stop the financing of the Jeffrey mine.
English Campaign Page
French Campaign Page
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Action Alert – Stop the Jeffrey Mine
Fax Campaign
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Docs Talk: Who’s keeping the Canadian asbestos industry alive?
Commentary by Dr. Kapil Khatter
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The Canadian Press
December 15, 2010
Scandal: Two Tory staffers tried to block access to info
Summary: Staff of Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis was involved in illegally removing information that was to have been provided under Access to Information law. The information in question regarded the Health Canada panel on chrysotile asbestos.
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Photos from the Asian Solidarity Delegation to Stop Asbestos Mining in Québec
Day #1 photos – Press Conference
Day #1 photos – Event
Day #2 photos – Event
Day #2 photos – Meeting with Opposition
Day #2 photos – Meeting with Union
Day #3 photos – Meeting with Minister
Day #3 photos – Press Conference
Day #4 photos – Protest Rally
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Nature Magazine, Editorial
December 15, 2010
ASBESTOS SCANDAL
Irresponsible policies could cause an epidemic of malignant lung disease
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Message from Dr. Joshi, a world recognized expert on occupational health in India
Asbestos related Cancers on the Rise in India
The asbestos consumption has recorded nearly a four-fold increase in India in last five years. From under less than 90,000 tones used five years back, the consumption is now nearly 350,000 tones/year. The Indian asbestos industry has been lobbying with the government claiming that they only use white asbestos or chrysotile which is not hazardous. They are not prepared to accept what International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, and International Labour Office have repeated time and again that all forms of asbestos including white chrysotile are capable of causing cancer. They use advertisement and false propaganda to buttress their claims since they have money to throw around. The Chrysotile institute in Montreal guides them and provides them information based on fraudulent research claiming Chrysotile can be used safely by applying ‘Controlled Use”. This has happened nowhere.
The western countries which used asbestos in the past are now experiencing a virtual epidemic of asbestos related cancers. The same is going to happen in India a few years from now. Now that Jeffery mines in Québec are facing economic difficulty, we learn an Indian consortium is coming to its rescue. The Québec government is behaving in the same uncivilized and irresponsible way as asbestos interests in Russia, and South Asia. They remain unconcerned about the outrage that informed citizens and scientists are voicing world over. Some time back Indian asbestos industry claimed there was no mesothelioma, a deadly cancer resulting from asbestos exposure, cases in India. Now we find Delhi alone has reported 59 cases of mesothelioma in men, and 39 in women. So the warning bells are there. In India where public health is less understood, asbestos use and asbestos industry continues to bloom and Québec would have to share some of the blame for bringing about this man made tragedy in India.
Dr. T. K. Joshi, Fellow Collegium Ramazzini, Visiting Professor Drexel University School of Public health, Philadelphia, Occupational health expert and activist, New Delhi
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GBAN “Voices on the Wall” Campaign
Tell Canadian Prime Minister Harper to stop exporting asbestos
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For more information visit the Prevent Cancer Now BAN ASBESTOS CAMPAIGN WEBPAGE
