Canadian cancer walk cancelled to support asbestos mine

 The Canadian Cancer Society recently applauded the Canadian government’s decision to ban cigarillos, small cigars sold as singles that come in candy and fruit flavours that are geared towards kids. The Canadian Cancer Society has also done their best to try and prevent youth from tanning in tanning beds, which can cause skin cancer. Many things can be attributed to their influence over the government, like the no smoking within three meters rule that’s employed near most public buildings. 

So why is it when they protest a lung-cancer causing mine, no one seems to listen?

It’s not only the Canadian Cancer Society, but the Canadian Health Association, the Quebec Public Health Association and the Canadian Medical Association that have made their concerns over the mine quite clear.   The mine, located in Quebec, is due to receive $58 million from the government in order to renew their operations and secure jobs at the mine.

What they’re mining is asbestos, which is proven to cause a deadly form of lung cancer called Mesothelioma along with other fatal health problems. Asbestos use is prohibited in Canada, but we export it to third-world countries that don’t have the same asbestos awareness or safety regulations in place.  

The town of Asbestos in Quebec, where the mine calls home, recently cancelled a cancer fundraiser in order to show their support for the mine. Yes, that’s correct. In order to express their support for the mine, they had to cancel a cancer walk that would raise money for cancer research.  

The government has not made a clear decision yet over whether the $58 million loan will be given to the mine, but the Canadian Cancer Society has been called “bold” for interfering with the decision by asking the government to just let the mine die already.  If the mine continues operation it will export asbestos to nations that have little to no regulations for its safe handling and put them at risk for developing fatal illnesses that Canadian miners, construction workers and home and building owners have been dealing with decades after their initial exposure to asbestos.

Should you suspect the presence of vermiculite or asbestos in your home or business, Contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca – Toronto’s asbestos removal specialists – at (416) 818-9414.

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