Asbestos mining in Canada.

I receive updates from the Prime Ministers office. Here is a recent link;

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=3842&featureId=6&pageId=26

"Construction of natural gas pipeline in Thetford Mines;

The Harper Government is committed to building and modernizing infrastructure to help create jobs and economic growth in Canada’s communities and regions.
To that end, the Harper Government will invest up to $18.1 million over two years toward the construction of a pipeline between Vallée-Jonction and Thetford Mines, Quebec. This investment will ensure a source of safe, inexpensive energy, thereby spurring the economic development of Thetford Mines and of the surrounding communities.
Construction of the pipeline will help diversify the municipal economy as well as help create jobs and economic growth by making local businesses more competitive, attracting investment and encouraging other businesses to set up shop in the region.
Gaz Métro, the leading natural gas distributor in Quebec, could spend $6.6 million on this project. The total cost is expected to be $24.7 million."

So my first reaction is to google Thetford Mines. Here is what Wikipedia says about the place;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thetford_Mines

Thetford Mines has held the dubious distiction of being the worlds largest producer of Asbestos, until health concerns virtually shut the industry down.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/855643--quebec-offers-lifeline-to-a-deadly-industry

Then I find the tidbit above, which confirms that the PQ is supporting expansion of the industry again. This in total contrast to the fact that in Canada we have determined that in no way is Asbestos safe, and thus we don't use it anymore.

Apparently various levels of government in Canada think that although we have banned Asbestos use because it is very dangerous to human health, it's O.K. to keep mining it for export to developing nations.

How nice of us to be like that.

Harper is an ass. He is using our taxes to subsidise an industry that is proven to be dangerous. Did you notice that this infrastructure money is to the riding of his Minister of Natural Resources, Christian Paradis?

http://www2.macleans.ca/tag/christian-paradis/

Yeah, that Chris Paradis. Blocking access to information, under investigation by the RCMP for receiving bribes, that Conservative hack Chris Paradis. Minister of Natural Resources from a small town in Quebec that is an environmental disaster. A man who apparently lacks ethics, and yet Harper is desperate to hold on to, so much so that he gives him another portfolio.

No wonder the Bloc is so popular in the rest of the province. If this is an example of how the Conservatives regard the people of Quebec, no wonder.