29/03/2007
New regulations on the use of asbestos were condemned on March 1 2007 by NDP MP’s Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre) and Catherine Bell (Vancouver Island North).

New regulations introduced by the Conservatives specifically cite that: “…a person may advertise, sell, or import an asbestos product… that is used by a child in learning or play.”

“You’d have to be crazy to put asbestos in children’s toys,” said Martin. “The rest of the world is banning asbestos in all its forms and Canada is actively seeking out new markets and applications. It defies reason.”

Martin and Bell were joined by toy puppets, ‘Toxic Timmy’ and ‘Ms O’Thelioma’ in making the case that putting toxic carcinogens into children’s toys and playthings is a spectacularly bad idea and shows an appalling lack of judgment on the part of this Conservative government.

“What’s even more absurd is that the Canadian government is spending a fortune subsidizing and promoting this deadly material,” said Bell. “We tried to eliminate government funding of the Asbestos Institute during debate last year on the supplementary estimates, but the Liberals and Bloc ganged up with the government to maintain this subsidy of the asbestos industry.”

The new regulations were posted in the Canada Gazette on November 11, 2006. They remain posted for 75 days during which time the public is invited to comment. They are now considered in force.

Despite public opinion, Canada continues to be one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of asbestos, dumping approximately 220,000 tonnes per year into developing nations and third world countries. The government is once again letting down ordinary Canadians and their families.