Minister's response to notice of objection: regional directors of Public Health in Quebec

Dr. Yv Bonnier Viger
Medical Specialist in Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Regional Director of Public Health for the region of Gaspésie et les Îles
Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Laval
Yv.Bonnier-Viger.CISSSGaspesie@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Dear Dr. Bonnier Viger,

I received your email message of March 3, 2018, in which you provided, on behalf of the Regional Directors of Public Health in Quebec, a notice of objection with respect to the proposed Prohibition of Asbestos and Asbestos Products Regulations. I regret the delay in responding to you.

Your notice of objection requests that I establish a board of review. More specifically, it objects to the exclusion of asbestos mining residues from the proposed regulations, which were published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on January 6, 2018, for a 75-day public comment period.

Thank you for your participation in the consultation process. I have carefully considered the issues set out in your notice of objection. I am of the view that there is sufficient information about the nature and extent of the danger posed by asbestos to support the proposed regulations. I am also satisfied that these proposed regulations, along with existing provincial controls, will address the health risks associated with asbestos mining residues.

Please be assured that the Government of Canada is committed to consulting with all stakeholders and the public on the development of these regulations, and that all issues brought forth are being considered in an open and transparent manner. To that end, Environment and Climate Change Canada will summarize the comments received during the consultation period, including yours, and describe how these matters have been addressed in the regulatory impact analysis statement that will be published with the regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

I appreciate you bringing the concerns of the Regional Directors of Public Health in Quebec to my attention. Please accept my best regards.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P.