While I have written many posts on Canada's indefensible export of asbestos to third-world nations, I am pleased to report that the latest news seems to suggest that this hideous and immoral practice could soon be coming to an end.
Despite the ardent and ongoing efforts of the Harper regime and Quebec premier Jean Charest, which include a $58 million loan guarantee to the mines, Gerald Caplan reports that the other $25 million required in private investment money is not materializing, probably due to widespread, indeed, worldwide, public exposure of this odious export.
You can read the full story here.
There are rumours that Charest will call an election this spring, to take advantage of the diminishing support for Francois Legault and his brand new CAQ party. However, that may change, given the latest polls putting the Parti-Quebecois ahead, though not by much. Be that as it may, the rumour mill is still buzzing about a spring election sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if another reason Charest has been delaying the 58 million$ loan guarantee to the Jeffrey Mine is that he's waiting til after the election. If he loses, this becomes a poison pill for either PQ or CAQ if they win. If he wins, well, an election is done with for awhile, so he can dispose of the matter early in the mandate once and for all.
Sadly, I wouldn't call it over just yet. Not as long as Quebec's largest labour union, the FTQ, supports the asbestos industry.