jdobbin Posted April 3, 2009 Report Posted April 3, 2009 http://www.canada.com/news/Ignatieff+criti...7729/story.html Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is being called a liar after he seemingly shifted his position on Canada's exporting of asbestos.Last weekend, on a tour of Vancouver Island, Ignatieff was asked about his position on asbestos, and he said he favoured banning exports. "I'm probably walking right off the cliff into some unexpected public policy bog of which I'm unaware, but if asbestos is bad for Parliamentarians in the Parliament of Canada, it just has to be bad for everybody else," he said. "Our export of this dangerous product overseas has got to stop." But in a scrum with reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday, Ignatieff was asked about his statement and he didn't mention a ban. Canada has been playing fast and loose about asbestos for years. Igntieff should have stuck with the ban and said that help was needed to get workers in Quebec into other fields. Quote
Moonbox Posted April 3, 2009 Report Posted April 3, 2009 WELL NOW! This is an interesting surprise. At any rate, I agree. The only thing I'd like to add is it'll be interesting to see if anyone tries to spin this into a big issue. He basically said he doesn't like the export of asbestos, so at least we know how he stands personally. The fact that he won't confirm it now is likely due to, like he said, some sort of policy bog. Politics politics politics. You can hardly fault him and not everyone else, however, because it's not like ANY party is or has done anything to change things. Quote "A man is no more entitled to an opinion for which he cannot account than he is for a pint of beer for which he cannot pay" - Anonymous
Progressive Tory Posted April 3, 2009 Report Posted April 3, 2009 You can hardly fault him and not everyone else, however, because it's not like ANY party is or has done anything to change things. My brother in law died of asbestosis and it is a dreadful form of cancer. He suffered terribly near the end and I'm surprised we're sending it anywhere. What I find interesting though is how focused the media has become on what Ignatieff has to say about issues, and not the Prime Minister. I guess they've accepted the inevitable. Quote "For all our modesty and self-deprecation, we’re a people who dream great dreams. And then roll up our sleeves and turn them into realities." - Michael Ignatieff "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election. That's not the way our system works." Stephen Harper.
jdobbin Posted April 3, 2009 Author Report Posted April 3, 2009 My brother in law died of asbestosis and it is a dreadful form of cancer. He suffered terribly near the end and I'm surprised we're sending it anywhere. We have been pushing it as an export for some time and trying not to let be listed as a dangerous substance. Ignatieff should have stuck to his position. Hopefully, we will see a policy laid out that leaves no room for doubt. Quote
Progressive Tory Posted April 3, 2009 Report Posted April 3, 2009 We have been pushing it as an export for some time and trying not to let be listed as a dangerous substance. Ignatieff should have stuck to his position. Hopefully, we will see a policy laid out that leaves no room for doubt. I'm mentioning it in my list of priorities for party policy. They've asked the grassroots to submit items for the May convention. Asbestos is horrible stuff. Quote "For all our modesty and self-deprecation, we’re a people who dream great dreams. And then roll up our sleeves and turn them into realities." - Michael Ignatieff "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election. That's not the way our system works." Stephen Harper.
bush_cheney2004 Posted April 3, 2009 Report Posted April 3, 2009 (edited) .....Asbestos is horrible stuff. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It's mesothelioma and other health issues associated with asbestos exposure that is horrible. No worse than exporting DU! Thank you Mr. Ignatieff. Edited April 3, 2009 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
August1991 Posted April 4, 2009 Report Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) Canada has been playing fast and loose about asbestos for years.True, as we have also done with coal exports to China and uranium. Canadians , their governments, and Canadian politicians are guilty of hypocrisy. Or how about subsidizing a company (Bombardier) that manufactures toys (Challenger Jets) for rich people?In this case though, Ignatieff may be guilty of hypocrisy but his real crime is being glib. IOW, he's a flake. To wit: "I'm probably walking right off the cliff into some unexpected public policy bog of which I'm unaware, but if asbestos is bad for Parliamentarians in the Parliament of Canada, it just has to be bad for everybody else," he said.WTF? Edited April 4, 2009 by August1991 Quote
jdobbin Posted April 4, 2009 Author Report Posted April 4, 2009 True, as we have also done with coal exports to China and uranium. We use coal and uranium in Canada and admit the dangers. We don't use asbestos in Canada and try to deny the dangers for others who get the product. Canadians , their governments, and Canadian politicians are guilty of hypocrisy. Or how about subsidizing a company (Bombardier) that manufactures toys (Challenger Jets) for rich people? You are getting off topic. Does the asbestos industry get a subsidy? In this case though, Ignatieff may be guilty of hypocrisy but his real crime is being glib. IOW, he's a flake. To wit:WTF? The question is legitimate: If asbestos is being removed from Parliament buildings because it is dangerous, why are we not admitting it is dangerous to those that we export to. You say Ignatieff is a flake but isn't his response more a lack of courage? Quote
August1991 Posted April 4, 2009 Report Posted April 4, 2009 The question is legitimate: If asbestos is being removed from Parliament buildings because it is dangerous, why are we not admitting it is dangerous to those that we export to.You say Ignatieff is a flake but isn't his response more a lack of courage? Ignatieff's question, as posed, is as legitimate as many other public questions. Ignatieff does not measure anything. He's a flake. He goes one way if he hears one story, and then he goes another way, if he hears another story.---- OTOH, Ignatieff is tall, and swarthy. His voice is pleasant, and his foreign accent in French is appealing particularly to women in Quebec (eg. Lysiane Gagnon and "certaines femmes séparatistes".) Ignatieff, a foreigner, will do well in Quebec. Quote
Moonbox Posted April 4, 2009 Report Posted April 4, 2009 You say Ignatieff is a flake but isn't his response more a lack of courage? I wouldn't even go that far. He's playing politics like everyone else does. At least he's not saying he supports exporting asbestos without labelling it dangerous..... Quote "A man is no more entitled to an opinion for which he cannot account than he is for a pint of beer for which he cannot pay" - Anonymous
bush_cheney2004 Posted April 4, 2009 Report Posted April 4, 2009 I wouldn't even go that far. He's playing politics like everyone else does. At least he's not saying he supports exporting asbestos without labelling it dangerous..... How is he able to do this....asbestos abatement is a common day occurrence. What's the big deal? Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
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