MPP Bailey To Reintroduce Asbestos Use Prohibition Act; Calls on Grits to End Delays

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2018

(QUEEN’S PARK) –On Monday, April 30th, Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey will reintroduce his Private Member’s Bill, The Asbestos Use Prohibition Act, in the provincial legislature. This bill was wiped off the legislative agenda when Premier Wynne suddenly prorogued the legislature ahead of the June provincial election.

“This bill will put an immediate stop to the use of any raw asbestos or products containing asbestos in Ontario, and it will require the provincial government to create a registry of all provincially owned buildings that still contain asbestos,” said MPP Bailey. “The Federal government promised to bring in a federal asbestos ban during the 2015 election. It’s three years later and the ban is still not in place, I want to ensure that one way or another this product is banned in Ontario without any further delay. No more consultation is needed, it’s time to enact this important safety initiative.”

Health Canada warns that exposure to asbestos, particularly by breathing in asbestos fibers, can cause cancer and other diseases such as: asbestosis; lung cancer; and mesothelioma. In January 2016, Stats Canada released data showing that the number of cases and deaths from mesothelioma in Canada continues to rise. It is estimated that more than 2000 Canadians will die from mesothelioma this year.

“In Sarnia-Lambton there are many, many families who have buried loved ones because of the mesothelioma they developed from exposure to asbestos while at work,” said MPP Bailey. “There is no justifiable reason to continue to use asbestos containing products. My hope is that Premier Wynne and her government will do the right thing and pass this bill into law before the legislature prorogues for the June election. Waiting for the Trudeau government to act on its promise of a national ban risks further exposures,” added MPP Bailey.

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Links:
Bill 88 Asbestos Use Prohibition Act – http://ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=4478&isCurrent=false&ParlSessionID=41%3A2