CAUT resolution on a ban on Asbestos

Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Resolution on a ban on asbestos

Passed Unanimously at Council - November 22, 2003

WHEREAS the International Labour Organization estimates that 100,000 workers die per year from cancer caused by asbestos and unknown tens of thousands of other workers are dying from asbestosis and other asbestos related diseases;

WHEREAS Canada is the world's second biggest exporter of chrysotile asbestos;

WHEREAS Canada exports to the developing world where there are poor, if any, safeguards for the use of asbestos;

AND WHEREAS the Canadian government promotes the sale of asbestos to these countries by financing the Asbestos Institute, a Canadian-based organization which has been lobbying for increased asbestos use around the world since the mid-1980's;

BE IT RESOLVED that CAUT call on the Canadian government to ban the export of asbestos, withdraw its financial and political support from the Asbestos Institute, and lobby for a world wide ban on the use of asbestos.

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