Canada told the world Wednesday it opposes placing limits on the export of chrysotile asbestos — likely setting the stage for international efforts to list the mineral as a hazardous material to fail.
The head of the Canadian delegation at an international meeting to decide whether to label chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous material under the United Nations' Rotterdam Convention made the statement after a consensus was starting to emerge to list the mineral, which is mined in Quebec, on Annex III of the convention, Postmedia News has learned.
If chrysotile asbestos is listed on Annex III of the convention, "Prior Informed Consent" is required before countries such as Canada can export the mineral, meaning importing countries are informed of the hazards and can refuse to accept it if they believe they cannot handle it safely.
Until this declaration, the Canadians had remained silent, and Natural Resources Ministers Joe Oliver had hinted Tuesday the Canadian delegation would remain quiet at the meeting because four other countries had already spoken up against the listing. But on Wednesday, Ukraine switched positions and indicated it could accept the hazardous listing.
Canada's intervention followed immediately after Ukraine's announcement. It also came just after India, a major importer of Quebec asbestos, announced it, too, would support the listing. As with Canada at past meetings, India either opposed the listing or remained silent.
Unless consensus among countries can be achieved, chrysotile asbestos will remain off Annex III, contrary to the recommendation of the UN convention's scientific expert committee.
The head of the Canadian delegation at an international meeting to decide whether to label chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous material under the United Nations' Rotterdam Convention made the statement after a consensus was starting to emerge to list the mineral, which is mined in Quebec, on Annex III of the convention, Postmedia News has learned.
If chrysotile asbestos is listed on Annex III of the convention, "Prior Informed Consent" is required before countries such as Canada can export the mineral, meaning importing countries are informed of the hazards and can refuse to accept it if they believe they cannot handle it safely.
Until this declaration, the Canadians had remained silent, and Natural Resources Ministers Joe Oliver had hinted Tuesday the Canadian delegation would remain quiet at the meeting because four other countries had already spoken up against the listing. But on Wednesday, Ukraine switched positions and indicated it could accept the hazardous listing.
Canada's intervention followed immediately after Ukraine's announcement. It also came just after India, a major importer of Quebec asbestos, announced it, too, would support the listing. As with Canada at past meetings, India either opposed the listing or remained silent.
Unless consensus among countries can be achieved, chrysotile asbestos will remain off Annex III, contrary to the recommendation of the UN convention's scientific expert committee.
Canada should actually be thinking on their acts as their acts may endanger several communities and even the current economy and government that they have. dangerous goods training
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