Article content continued

“Chrysotile specifically is permitted internationally under conditions of safe and controlled use,” he said.

“Canada is one of a number of exporters of chrysotile and there are many countries where it is legal who are buyers. And this government will not put Canadian industry in a position where it is discriminated against in a market where sale is permitted.”

Mr. Harper’s pledge drew strong applause from the small crowd in the room, most of them seniors who live at the lodge.

He appeared with the Conservative candidate in the riding of Richmond-Arthabaska, which is held by the Bloc Quebecois.

It is also adjacent to a riding held by Conservative cabinet minister Christian Paradis, whose riding includes the town of Thetford Mines, which has the last asbestos mine in Canada.

For years, Canada and Quebec have been under pressure from scientists and health groups such as the Canadian Cancer Society to stop exporting asbestos because of how its toxic elements are linked to cancer.

The use of asbestos is highly regulated in Canada because it is considered a hazardous product.

The federal government allows it to be exported, arguing that it is not dangerous if handled properly. But critics say this is a hypocritical approach because once the product has left Canada, there is nothing that can be done about how companies elsewhere — often in the Third World — require their workers to use it.

For decades, the main rivals in Quebec — Liberals, Bloc Quebecois, and Conservatives — have resisted calls for a ban. Critics say they are far too interested in winning seats in the region of Quebec where asbestos has traditionally been produced, even though it is becoming a dying industry.