It just keeps getting more ridiculous in Canada. Our dear friends to the North continue to insist that the mining and exportation of asbestos does not pose a threat to public health –in fact, one Quebec government official claimed that asbestos can help “save lives.”

Just last week, Economic Development Minister Clement Gignac, a cabinet member of the Quebec government, stated that the government’s decision to expand the Jeffery asbestos mine (in the aptly named town of Asbestos, Quebec) does not contradict the government’s “championing” of sustainable development. In fact, Gignac even suggested that chrysotile asbestos, a certain type of asbestos mined at the Jeffrey mind, could help save lives in India.

Despite the Quebec government’s support of Canada’s only operational asbestos mine, the decision has been widely condemned by health officials. Just last week, the Canadian Cancer Society called upon the Quebec government to withdraw its support for the Jeffrey asbestos mine expansion.

The group said in a statement: “This decision directly conflicts with global cancer control. The epidemic of asbestos-related concerns, both in Canada and around the world, will continue to spread.”

The $58 million loan for the expansion of the Jeffrey mine in Asbestos, Quebec is just another example of corporate greed and deception, where the asbestos manufacturers have placed profits over people and misled others about the truth health risks of asbestos use. The health issues of asbestos have been documented for decades by medical research, but, even armed with this knowledge, many asbestos companies have continued to operate while perpetuating false information about their products and the dangers they may cause.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to horrible asbestos cancers, such as mesothelioma and certain types of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs and, sadly, many people who are diagnosed with the cancer do not survive long and tend to rack up serious medical bills.

Not only will a mesothelioma lawsuit allow you to get back at these corrupt corporations for knowingly exposing people to asbestos regardless of the health risks, but it also helps pay for expensive medical bills and leave behind something to help out family members –spouses, children, grandchildren –after a mesothelioma patient passes.

That’s why the mesothelioma attorney at the mesothelioma law firm of Baron & Budd started fighting for asbestos patients more than 30 years ago and continues to fight today.

(Mesothelioma News, 18/04/2011)