Asbestos!
So if there is a clear message from the Harper Gov't and the Conservative Party of Canada on their business first and environment and health second its Stephen's Harper shameful visit to Asbestos, Quebec (yes there is a town named Asbestos) today where he stood behind Canada's Asbestos industry despite the fact that its use is BANNED here in Canada.
Full Article Here - http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/980449--harper-defends-asbestos-exports-despite-cancer-risks?bn=1
Chrysotile specifically is permitted internationally under conditions of safe and controlled use,” he said, referring to the white asbestos mined in Quebec.
“Canada is one of a number of exporters of chrysotile and there are a number of countries in which it is legal who are buyers,” Harper said at a seniors’ residence named for the local Jeffrey asbestos mine.
“This government will not put Canadian industry in a position where it is discriminated against in a market where it is permitted.”
Okay, I've got a couple of issues with this. No one ever promised anyone a specific job for life. I work in a different mining industry that also has environmentally impacts that are not what many would consider environmentally friendly and as of late has been coming under increasing pressure for health risks related to the mineral we mine as well. One day my liveliehood could very well be threatened much like that of the town of Asbestos, but you know what - I would hope that if it came down to scientific proof that we shouldn't be using the nickel that is mined that we, as a country, would choose the environment and health over jobs. Help the people find other work, help the town transition to something else. I know its not easy as waving a wand, but to move forward knowning you are wrong just to avoid doing the hard thing is not the way to go. Industries are devestated all the time, look at Detroit of 50 years ago versus today, I am not saying its right to stand by and watch people's liveliehoods be destroyed, but by ignoring it we are not taking responsibility.
My other issue with this is the hypocrisy. It's like saying "Well its not banned in places like India so lets export it there until they wise up. If they want to kill their people then we are okay with that even though we wouldn't put our own people at risk."
We wouldn't tolerate logic like that in other areas. In fact I can think of human trafficking and sex trade as an example where we have taken a stand. We, as a country, have said that you can't just go to places like Thailand and abuse people because its tolerated there. Canadian Law will and has prosecuted Candians that violate those laws in other countries.
Why when it comes to things like asbestos that we turn a blind eye to support an industry? This is symptomatic problem with our current Conservative government. I am not saying they should out right BAN the industry, but I definitely don't think they should be supporting and promoting the industry with Goverment money. If you are going to apply gov't money use it to transition the industry, use it to protect the people and the workers, use it to protect the environment.
EDIT: I posted a similar rant to FB recently and a friend there asked me PROVE that countries like INDIA were being HARMED by the use of our ASBESTOS.
Here is a wonderful documentary done by the CBC in 2010 called "Canada's Ugly Secret"
http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2010/06/28/national-asbestos.html
The link starts with a 2 minute news piece. The second video in the sequence is the actually documnetary and runs about 15 minutes.
Full Article Here - http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/980449--harper-defends-asbestos-exports-despite-cancer-risks?bn=1
Chrysotile specifically is permitted internationally under conditions of safe and controlled use,” he said, referring to the white asbestos mined in Quebec.
“Canada is one of a number of exporters of chrysotile and there are a number of countries in which it is legal who are buyers,” Harper said at a seniors’ residence named for the local Jeffrey asbestos mine.
“This government will not put Canadian industry in a position where it is discriminated against in a market where it is permitted.”
Okay, I've got a couple of issues with this. No one ever promised anyone a specific job for life. I work in a different mining industry that also has environmentally impacts that are not what many would consider environmentally friendly and as of late has been coming under increasing pressure for health risks related to the mineral we mine as well. One day my liveliehood could very well be threatened much like that of the town of Asbestos, but you know what - I would hope that if it came down to scientific proof that we shouldn't be using the nickel that is mined that we, as a country, would choose the environment and health over jobs. Help the people find other work, help the town transition to something else. I know its not easy as waving a wand, but to move forward knowning you are wrong just to avoid doing the hard thing is not the way to go. Industries are devestated all the time, look at Detroit of 50 years ago versus today, I am not saying its right to stand by and watch people's liveliehoods be destroyed, but by ignoring it we are not taking responsibility.
My other issue with this is the hypocrisy. It's like saying "Well its not banned in places like India so lets export it there until they wise up. If they want to kill their people then we are okay with that even though we wouldn't put our own people at risk."
We wouldn't tolerate logic like that in other areas. In fact I can think of human trafficking and sex trade as an example where we have taken a stand. We, as a country, have said that you can't just go to places like Thailand and abuse people because its tolerated there. Canadian Law will and has prosecuted Candians that violate those laws in other countries.
Why when it comes to things like asbestos that we turn a blind eye to support an industry? This is symptomatic problem with our current Conservative government. I am not saying they should out right BAN the industry, but I definitely don't think they should be supporting and promoting the industry with Goverment money. If you are going to apply gov't money use it to transition the industry, use it to protect the people and the workers, use it to protect the environment.
EDIT: I posted a similar rant to FB recently and a friend there asked me PROVE that countries like INDIA were being HARMED by the use of our ASBESTOS.
Here is a wonderful documentary done by the CBC in 2010 called "Canada's Ugly Secret"
http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2010/06/28/national-asbestos.html
The link starts with a 2 minute news piece. The second video in the sequence is the actually documnetary and runs about 15 minutes.