June 29, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is pleased to report that, following a
telephone conversation today with President Ricardo Lagos of Chile, serious
discussions will take place between Chilean and Canadian officials concerning
Chile’s scheduled ban on the import and sale of construction materials
containing all kinds of asbestos.
"I spoke with President Lagos and forcefully made the Canadian case -
based on clear scientific evidence - that chrysotile asbestos can be used safely,"
said the Prime Minister. "And I am pleased that he has agreed to the
convening of technical discussions between Chilean Ministry of Health officials
and Canadian experts with a view to resolving this matter. The President gave me
his undertaking that the situation would be reviewed following these technical
discussions."
Chile’s ban on the import and sale of all types of asbestos is scheduled to
go into effect on July 12, 2001. The Prime Minister’s intervention is just the
latest in a series that the Government of Canada has made with Chile on behalf
of Canadian producers.
In making this report, the Prime Minister acknowledged the hard work of
Frontenac Mégantic MP, Gérard Binet, and Senator Raymond Setlakwe in keeping
the concerns of the people and businesses most affected by this matter front and
centre. "Both Gérard and Raymond have done a great job on this file,
" said the Prime Minister. "I am grateful to them both for keeping me
up to date on their concerns and for being such dedicated advocates."
