THETFORD MINES, April 1, 2009 – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Member for Mégantic–L’Érable, today sharply denounced Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff’s comments on chrysotile exports.

“Before making such a statement, Professor Ignatieff should have done his homework,” said Paradis. “The Liberal Leader’s comments show a great deal of ignorance about the chrysotile issue and the hypocrisy of the Liberals, who are once again talking out of both sides of their mouth, depending on where they are in Canada.”

At a meeting in British Columbia on March 28, Mr. Ignatieff said: “There is a double standard. Canada is spending millions of dollars to remove asbestos from the Parliament buildings, but it promotes the export of asbestos to developing countries. If asbestos is harmful to the point that it is being removed from Parliament, it must be harmful for other countries. This has to stop.”

Work to remove asbestos from Parliament Hill buildings results from the past practice of asbestos spraying to insulate buildings. This practice, which used a combination of fibres, including fibrous amphiboles, has been strictly banned since the late 1970s.