Harper Won't Permit Asbestos Sales In Canada, Wants More Exports - Own Cabinet Member Dying Of MST

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Stephen Harper says he won’t allow a substance synonymous with cancer to be reintroduced in Canadian homes or schools but he’s firmly behind allowing Quebec’s maligned asbestos industry to export its product to willing buyers abroad.

The Conservative Leader made a campaign stop in Quebec’s Eastern Townships to show the failing asbestos industry some support, a move the Tories are hoping will enable them to win a seat in the area. Mr. Harper’s stumping, however, sparked renewed pressure on him to end Canadian production and export of the cancer-causing mineral.

The matter hits close to home for the Tory Leader. One of Mr. Harper's own cabinet ministers, Chuck Strahl is a victim of asbestos. Mr. Strahl, not seeking re-election, has been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer – mesothelioma – believed to be triggered by breathing asbestos when he was younger.

But the Conservative Party chief was defiant when challenged on the subject. He said it’s not fair to deny a Canadian enterprise export markets for a product that’s in demand elsewhere. And he declined though to reconsider a ban on using asbestos in homes and schools. “We have no plans to do that but chrysotile, specifically, is permitted internationally under conditions of safe and controlled use,” Mr. Harper said.

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/canada-labelled-immoral-asbestos-pusher-as-harper-visits-quebec-mining-town/article1999035/