Oh Canada: Government Blocks Listing of Asbestos as Hazardous Export While Removing Asbestos From Parliament Buildings

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