All forms of asbestos cause cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society believes that all efforts should be made to eliminate exposure to asbestos and to eliminate asbestos-related diseases.
The Canadian Cancer Society supports the federal government's plan for a nationwide ban on all asbestos products by 2018. This includes the manufacture, use, import and export of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials and products.
In addition, the Society urges the government to partner with provinces and territories to:
- Require mandatory reporting of public buildings containing asbestos and establish federal and provincial building registries
- Establish a national surveillance system to track health outcomes of people already exposed to asbestos and all asbestos-related disease in Canada
- Engage and support community, business and workers affected by an asbestos ban, which includes providing financial stability
- Target 0% asbestos concentration in all consumer products in Canada