Somewhere between a national shame and a national scandal lies Canada's export of asbestos. The federal government promotes asbestos exports - they have risen sharply in the past year - despite the fact that the use of asbestos has all but disappeared in this country. Why? Because scientists, governments, industries and unions have concluded that the product can lead to a variety of health-related problems and, in some cases, to death. Indeed, while the federal government promotes exports, a multiyear construction project is refitting the Parliament Buildings, among other reasons to remove asbestos. What our parliamentarians won't have in their buildings apparently will be in buildings in the developing world. The reason the federal government will not stop defending asbestos is politics - Quebec politics, in fact. The asbestos produced in Canada comes from Quebec, from the Jeffrey and LAB Chrysotile mines that employ about 700 people. A large town in Quebec is even called Asbestos. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/playing-a-dirty-game-exporting-asbestos/article1456630/

 

But Mr. Charest said it was up to India to act if it felt asbestos led to health problems. He was accompanied by a representative of an asbestos lobby group that receives money from both the federal and provincial governments; his group, he said, gives information to asbestos users about its possible risks. In other words, caveat emptor! Meantime, it's business as usual for Quebec's asbestos exports