Another Step Toward the Death of Asbestos

Boys ‘n’ girls, good news! That pro-asbestos lobby group, the Chrysotile Institute is shutting its’ doors!  Now, a word from Pat Martin, an anti-asbestos activist:

NDP MP Pat Martin — a longtime critic of the asbestos industry and former miner himself — said the closing of the institute signals the “death knell” of asbestos mining in Canada.

“I see it as a real tipping point in the movement to get Canada out of the asbestos industry,” Martin said. “It’s just another demonstration of the death rattle of the asbestos industry in this country.”

He said he first learned of the institute’s intention to dissolve Saturday, International Workers’ Memorial Day — a day of commemoration for workers injured and killed around the globe.

“I’ve lost an awful lot of friends and colleagues to asbestos in my time as an asbestos miner and a carpenter in the building trades,” Martin said. “It was very poignant for me to learn that (the institute was closing) on the very day of mourning for injured and fallen workers with the flags at half mast — it was very, very fitting.”

Definitely a small step in the right direction.  First, the only operating asbestos mine in Canada, in Thetford Mines shut its’ doors. The Jeffrey Mine in oh little town of Asbestos is waiting to hear from Premier Johnny-boy on whether or not Balcorp will get that 58M$ loan guarantee (with condition the owners find 25M$ in investment–I don’t think that has happened yet).  I strongly suspect that even if Balcorp got the 25M$, Premier Johnny-Boy would still drag his feet–there will most likely be an election sooner rather than later–he seems to want that held before France Charbonneau starts her inquiry on collusion in the contruction industry.   Hey! Protesting Students! If you find the time, around election time, can you also put some energy into pressuring the new Quebec gov’t not to invest any money on this poison?

Oh, it seems the shop is already closed–their phone lines appear to be disconnected and no one is answering emails. Bye-Bye Chrysotile Institute! You won’t be missed.

Now, can we start thinking about creating different industries and jobs for that part of  Quebec?