“As a nation that is still exporting asbestos and that opposed the listing of chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous substance under the Rotterdam Convention, Canada is complicit in the continuing rise of incidences of this cancer.  The work of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is critical and needs support,”said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

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“Basically, our government is saying we don’t care about the health of people in other countries as long as we can continue to make a profit and as long as it furthers the government’s political interests,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

A consensus on listing chrysotile asbestos was within reach when Canada finally came out of the shadows and said No.  Earlier in the week, India changed its position and agreed to put chrysotile asbestos onto the list of hazardous substances, a move for which they were awarded the prize of Conference Champion.  Meanwhile, Canada has now been labeled a Cancer Culprit.  The Convention requires consensus to list a substance as hazardous, which simply means that exporting countries must provide prior informed consent to importing countries so that they are made aware of the risks.

“We are racking up quite a bunch of trophies—Colossal Fossil and now Cancer Culprit.  This is not the Canada that we know and love. I am very angry and embarrassed over our incredibly unethical position,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.  “I would urge Canada’s negotiators to shift their position, as India has done.”

Negotiations will continue for two more days.

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“The Green Party was the first party in Canada to call for banning asbestos, and we will continue this fight on behalf of all those who have  suffered because of this hazardous substance,” said Green Leader  Elizabeth May.  “Listing asbestos as hazardous under the Convention does not mean we stop selling it.  It only means we have a duty to provide  prior informed consent to importing countries so that they are made  aware of the risks.  Canada has been against that under both Liberal and Conservative governments.”

Canada is one of the world’s main exporters of chrysotile, the type of  asbestos fibre mined in Quebec, even though it is no longer used  domestically because of its dangerous carcinogenic properties.  The  World Health Organization cites asbestos as responsible for over 90,000  deaths annually.  The Rotterdam Convention regulates international trade in dangerous substances and was introduced to protect developing  countries from hazardous imports.

“Canada’s continued role as an exporter of this cancer-causing substance is  shameful,” said May.  “What is needed is a fair transition strategy for  asbestos miners in Quebec so that we can phase out this toxic industry.”

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