MONTREAL - The Canadian Cancer Society is urging the Quebec government not to revive one of the country's last-remaining asbestos mines.
The organization wrote a letter to Premier Jean Charest asking him to refrain from backing a $58-million bank loan that would extend the life of the Jeffrey asbestos mine for 25 years.
The cancer society says 90,000 people die annually around the world from diseases linked to asbestos exposure, and that Quebec asbestos -- also called chrysotile -- is a major contributor.
"It is a global problem, so one small initiative in one part of the country may have a global impact," said Paul Lapierre, vice-president of public affairs for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The group sent the letter to Charest on Monday, as Quebec decides whether to guarantee the loan, which mine supporters say would create more than 400 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs.
The Canadian Cancer Society has been lobbying Ottawa to eliminate asbestos exposure in the country by phasing out the industry and creating a national registry of buildings that still contain the substance.
The organization contacted Charest after receiving numerous letters and emails of concern from Canadian and international health advocates.
"Protecting Canadians, ensuring cancer prevention, ensuring protection of workers, the Canadian Cancer Society will not be quiet and will talk to whomever we have to talk to," Lapierre said Tuesday.
"The Canadian Cancer Society believes that all efforts must be made to eliminate exposure to asbestos and eliminate asbestos-related disease."
The World Health Organization says all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, cause cancer and other diseases.
The 131-year-old Jeffrey mine, in the town of Asbestos, is currently under bankruptcy protection, but the deal to save it will survive only if conditions set by Quebec are met by the mine and its workers.
The mine's union recently accepted a five-year contract that would divert 10 per cent of worker earnings into a fund. That money would be sent to the government if the mine failed.
An independent firm has been hired to ensure the mine will be profitable before Quebec supports the loan.
The government also wants the mine's customers -- largely foreigners -- to agree to follow the provincial standards on the safe handling of the mineral.
The customers will be audited annually, provincial Economic Development Minister Clement Gignac said Tuesday in Quebec City.
"We have other industries, such as the petrochemical sector in Montreal, that have dangerous products," he said.
"And we're not talking about closing the petrochemical industry in Montreal."
Asbestos mining was once highly profitable, but domestic consumption of the substance has plummeted.
Canadian exports -- most of which are sold to developing countries -- are increasingly under attack from international critics.
But supporters of the chrysotile asbestos industry contend it is safe when handled properly.
Gignac also noted that many people have hazardous products at home, which must be used with care.
"Yes, the use of chrysotile could pose an element of risk, but what's important is that these products are used safely, and that's what we do in other industries," Gignac said.
