While America may hang our head in shame over Kyoto and the failure to move aggressively on global warming, Canada it appears has asbestos. The article below raises an interesting disconnect between Canada’s blocking of the international listing of chrysotile asbestos to the Rotterdam Convention, a U.N. treaty on hazardous substances while ordering the removal of asbestos from government buildings due to its danger.
Canada remains a major exporter of asbestos despite the worldwide consensus on its dangers to human health. What is shocking is that the listing on the Rotterdam Convention would only require Canada to warn buyers of the dangers of asbestos in causing cancer and other illness — not bar its exportation. Yet, Canada has blocked even that listing.
However, the same government refusing to even list asbestos as a hazardous material is now moving to remove asbestos as a danger from the Canadian Parliament Buildings built in 1927. The initial cost estimates are $863 million Canadian.
Source: Slate
Jonathan Turley
Freddyc,
Not trying to run you or Canada down, BUT,
didn’t you even have a prime minister that was taking cash
from a lobbyist or something…
And didn’t it turn out that he didn’t report the cash on
his 1040 or whatever the tax form is up there???
And then have the guy deported to protect your
republican PM???
I recall reading something about that a couple of years ago.
As one of your northern neighbors I can tell you that our government is approaching a state of moral bankruptcy of epic proportions. Due to our screwed up election system the party that garnered 39.6% of the vote holds 100% of the power. And I assure you this will become evident in the near future as our version of the Republican party has carte blanche to cram any law they want down the throats of Canadians. And to a lesser extent on any one they can bully or coerce. Most Canadians, I can attest to live with their heads up their asses. They fail to see what the policies of Bush/Cheney did too the United States. As I’ve stated in other rants, this new Canadian dictatorship will run roughshod over the country destroying and semblance of social justice or equality, and finally the Canadian people will stir from their lethargy in 4 years and boot their asses to the back of the bus….I pray.
Peace
It’s not an accident that Canada, Britain and the US are all moving backward and all under the control of conservative governments. We are becoming the evil axis against human rights and democratic principles IMO.
asbestos and nicotine strengthen the immune systems of little brown people. also helps weight gain. just ask the tobacco and asbestos lobbies.
elemental jim
1, July 1, 2011 at 9:35 am
What has happened to Canada?
Once upon a time they were environmentally responsible but now between this blatant disregard for facts about asbestos and the whole tar sands project it is as if ignorance & stupidity are in the driver’s seat and logic & reason were kicked to the curb.
————————-
I think it’s called Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative party.
There was a recent attempt to create a Canadian version of Fox News – the only problem: Canadian law explicitly prohibits news organizations from knowingly lying. When Harper’s attempt to create an exemption to that law failed, the cable channel shriveled and died. I wish I was making this up.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr/fox-news-will-not-be-moving-into-canada-after-all_b_829473.html
Members of Harper’s government are trying to create a Canadian version of the DMCA (our dim-witted, counterproductive “IP” law). They keep taking money from the US entertainment industry, introducing lousy legislation, and the Canadian public and recording artists keep shooting it down. (Oh, so that’s what a functioning democracy looks like!)
If Canadian politicians are being bought by the US entertainment industry, you can imagine what’s going on with industries dealing in carbon and other pollutants.
We Americans can’t poke too much fun at the Canadians over this asbestos issue – aren’t we gradually banning tobacco while selling Marlboros to children all over the developing world?
elemental jim 1, July 1, 2011 at 9:35 am
as if ignorance & stupidity are in the driver’s seat and logic & reason were kicked to the curb.
LOL!!!
It’s a requirement Jim…
Happy Canada Day to all you Canadians.
“Canada is removing asbestos from politicians’ offices while exporting it by the ton.” -Slate
The subtitle to the Slate article says it all. Protect the politicians at all costs. Spare no expense in protecting the privileged…
AY:
Touche’
What has happened to Canada?
Once upon a time they were environmentally responsible but now between this blatant disregard for facts about asbestos and the whole tar sands project it is as if ignorance & stupidity are in the driver’s seat and logic & reason were kicked to the curb.
mespo,
That is from the isle of Crete…
I suppose to the Canadian government, Mesothelioma is an ancient civilization from the fertile crescent.