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CAW Ban Asbestos Campaign
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Canada must BAN ASBESTOS
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 100,000 workers die each year from cancer caused by asbestos. There are also unknown tens of
thousands of other workers who are dying from asbestosis and other asbestos related diseases.
Despite its well-documented dangers, Canada continues to promote and sell asbestos worldwide - especially to developing nations. We are the world’s
second biggest exporter of chrysotile asbestos; exporting more than 95 per cent of the asbestos we produce to the developing world where there are poor, if
any, safeguards for its use.
Canada's actions not only perpetuate the threat chrysotile asbestos poses to human health today, but weaken the international agreement established
expressly to share information on hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
Most developed countries, including the European Union, have banned asbestos. The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour
Organization, the Canadian Cancer Society and other respected organizations have called for a ban on all forms of asbestos. But instead of banning asbestos,
the Canadian government uses tax-payers dollars and Canadian embassies to actively promote the sale of asbestos around the world.
The CAW believes the practice of mining and exporting asbestos represents a gross disregard for human life. At the CAW Council meeting in December 2003,
delegates voted unanimously in favour of a resolution that called upon the federal government to:
• Ban the export of asbestos
• Withdraw financial and political support from the Asbestos Institute
• Work with unions and communities involved to ensure a just transition for workers in the asbestos mines, and surrounding communities
• Lobby for a worldwide ban on the use of asbestos
Working together with RightonCanada.ca, the CAW is calling on the federal government to change its current position and BAN ASBESTOS in Canada.
Campaign Links and Documents:
Asbestos Fact Sheet
RightonCanada.ca - Export Asbestos? Tell Harper to Just Say No!
CAW Ban Asbestos Campaign
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