Construction union UCATT, asbestos support groups and other unions exposed Canada's asbestos record by holding a protest yesterday (July 1st) outside Canada House.

The protest was designed to coincide with the official celebrations to mark Canada Day.

Despite Britain finally banning the use of asbestos in 2000, the global asbestos trade remains strong. Before the ban in Britain, 60% of the asbestos used came from Canada. Much of the asbestos trade has now moved to the developing world. In recent years countries such as Angola, Argentina, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Thailand have all recorded increased use of asbestos products.

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Workers in the developing world are at extreme risk of developing asbestos related diseases, as they are likely to be untrained and are not supplied with protective clothing.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "It is disgraceful that Canada continues to wilfully produce and export a deadly substance. It is essential that nationally and internationally unions and other sympathetic groups, increase the pressure on Canada to end this lethal trade once and for all."

(CD)