Rotterdam Convention Archives | Elizabeth May

Asbestos (C)

Craig Cantin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:50:47 +0000

Elizabeth May: Mr. Speaker, I will ask my hon. colleague from Mississauga East—Cooksville a direct question. How can we reconcile the claim that we are very careful and warn people of the health risks of chrysotile asbestos when Canada alone in the world has blocked the listing of asbestos as a hazardous substance under the Rotterdam Convention? Surely, if we want to export it safely, we would welcome the chance to give the countries that are importing this hazardous product the right of prior informed consent under that convention.

[9sy9Eq5bJQ4]

Mr. Wladyslaw Lizon: Mr. Speaker, through the Chrysotile Institute, Canada has been working with countries that produce and use chrysotile effectively to implement and enforce regulations to keep exposure low and utilize control of use practices of chrysotile.

As I mentioned before, chrysotile is not the only dangerous substance. I would remind members that we sell uranium. The safety precautions in handling, transporting and mining the substance are crucial and most important.

The post Asbestos (C) appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Canada shamed on international stage

Justin Reist — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:21:51 +0000

Canada, once admired around the world, is fast gaining a reputation as a regressive country, blocking progress without any care for who is harmed. After refusing to join the consensus to list chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous substance at the Rotterdam Convention this week in Geneva, Canada is being labelled a ‘pariah’ state, a ‘rogue nation’, unprincipled, hypocritical, and disrespectful in the international press.

“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.

The post Canada shamed on international stage appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Another chance to list Asbestos as Hazardous: Will Canada block again?

Justin Reist — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:27:40 +0000

The Green Party is reiterating its call for Canada’s government to step out of the way of chrysotile asbestos being listed as a hazardous substance under the United Nations Rotterdam Convention. The Convention meets in Geneva starting Monday and the world waits to see if Canada will once again block the listing, as we have done for the past 30 years.

“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.”

The post Another chance to list Asbestos as Hazardous: Will Canada block again? appeared first on Elizabeth May.