NEWS RELEASES
EGGLETON IS SATISFIED WITH THE IMPACT OF THE CANADIAN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF ASBESTOS
May 19, 1997 No. 89
EGGLETON IS SATISFIED WITH THE IMPACT
OF THE CANADIAN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
ON THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF ASBESTOS
Minister for International Trade Art Eggleton announced today that he is very
satisfied with the decision of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to meet
with a Canadian technical mission in Geneva this week as part of the strategy to
promote the safe use of asbestos.
This delegation, including among others two representatives from the Institut de
recherche en santé et sécurité au travail (the Quebec Occupational Health and
Safety Research Institute), will participate in a series of meetings from
May 21 to 23. Discussions will include a partnership for training specialists, a
program to promote Convention 162 and ways to implement the recommended
activities.
"This mission is in keeping with the memorandum of understanding signed on March
3, 1997, by the federal government and the Canadian asbestos industry to promote
responsible use of chrysotile asbestos throughout the world," declared Mr.
Eggleton. Essentially, Canadian producers made a commitment to comply with
international standards on the safe use of asbestos.
This agreement, modelled on the principles contained in ILO Convention 162, to
which Canada has adhered since 1988, follows on another agreement reached by
international asbestos companies in Canada, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Swaziland that
represent 60 per cent of world production. Canada initiated Convention 162 and is
one of its leading promoters.
Canada and Canadian asbestos-producing companies will assist consumer countries in
developing and implementing regulatory regimes in accordance with international
standards and ILO Convention 162. The industries in these countries will then be
required to comply with national standards and will be subject to government
controls.
"Last March, Canada made a commitment to encourage and assist consumer countries
in developing strict regulations on safe use, and this technical mission to the
ILO is a direct result of that," added Mr. Eggleton.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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