Canada: Let the Slaughter Continue!
It came as no surprise that the Canadian Government announced in early June, 2004 that it would continue to veto United Nations' plans for restrictions on global sales of chrysotile (white asbestos)1. In the run-up to the June 28, 2004 federal election, there was never any doubt that politicians would sacrifice the health of Canadian and foreign workers to placate powerful commercial and political interests, however, the fact that the press conference took place at Thetford (Asbestos) Mines, speaks volumes about the trade-off made between Ottawa's vote-hungry politicians and Quebec's profit-hungry asbestos producers.
The Asbestos Institute, the Montreal-based mouth-piece for national asbestos interests, was overjoyed by the decision, headlining their Press Release: Chrysotile: a battle won. Gerard Binet, Member of Parliament for the asbestos constituency of Frontenac-Megantic, was equally delighted claiming: “It is great news for the industry!” He added
“Thousands of employments (sic) in our Quebec rural communities depend on this industry and such a statement shows that our priority always was, and remains, the Canadian protection of the chrysotile industry and of employments (sic) generated.”
Although Binet's statistics are grossly over-exaggerated, he is right when he says that the priority has been and continues to be “the Canadian protection of the chrysotile industry.” At the end of the day, the asbestos deaths of millions of foreign workers and consumers count for nothing when the health of the Canadian chrysotile industry hangs in the balance. The lengths to which the Canadian establishment will go to protect this industry knows no-bounds and extends even to the willingness to sacrifice Canadian citizens on the asbestos altar. The bitter price paid for one hundred year's of Canadian asbestos profits is discussed in the current issue of the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health (Vol. 10, Issue 2). The issue is dedicated to the memory of Canadian asbestos victims and features a photograph of Fred Beal, a Canadian brick-layer who died of mesothelioma, on its cover.
June 17, 2004
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1 See: Neighbours Trade Toxic Hazards.
