Elizabeth May Applauds New Step Towards Asbestos Ban

Long Overdue Decision Welcomed With Relief by Green Leader

 OTTAWA – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May today applauded the Government of Canada’s decision to stop blocking the international community’s efforts to add chrysotile asbestos to the Rotterdam Convention.

 “The Green Party of Canada has always been at the forefront of the battle to ban asbestos. Prior to entering politics, I was a founder of Ban Asbestos Now Canada. So even if this decision was long overdue, I welcome it with great relief,” said May. “Asbestos is toxic to the environment and human health – no level of exposure is safe. I would like to think the Green Party’s work on the issue played a role in raising awareness so that other political parties now see the problems with asbestos. We now have to carefully monitor how diversification money is spent. People of the Thetford Mines region deserve green, sustainable and safe jobs,” added May.

 “I know Quebec’s Premier-designate Marois wants a Parliamentary Commission to discuss the future of asbestos mining. I hope all parties in Quebec can reach consensus on the issue and ban this carcinogenic substance for good,” concluded Elizabeth May.

The Green Party of Canada launched the We’re Sorry! Campaign in June 2011 when the Harper Conservatives made Canada the only country in the world to oppose the listing of chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous substance under the Rotterdam Convention.

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 Media Contact:
Stéphane Vigneault
Communications Coordinator, Green Party of Canada 

t: 613.562.4916 (ext.222)