Document jBb9mBZB6B8bkyBLv8Lv2knwk

FILENAME: Flintkote (FLK) DATE: 1967 Aug 10 DOC#: FLK052 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meeting Minutes and Attendees - Quebec Asbestos Mining Association MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE QUEBEC ASBESTOS MINING ASSOCIATION, HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 10th, 1967 AT THE MANOIR RICHELIEU, MURRAY BAY, QUEBEC Present s Messrs. M.J. Messel W.W. Oughtred R.S. Coleman K.V. Lindell J.A. Main R.JT" Merrill P.A. Meyer F.P. Smith R.D. Bradford I.C. Campbell M. P. Carson D.T. Colton Y. Couture R. Dodds-hebron J.W. Duncan J.O. Eby W.H. Foster R.P. Gagnon N. W. Hendry L.C. Langlois Dr. P. Pelnar L. Piuze D. Poirier P.H. Riordon G.C. Scouicroft Dr. G.W. Wright C. Robinson I. Sabourin Paul A. Filteau Occupational and Environmental Health Committee I The President Mr. Messel, invited K.V. Lindell, Chairman of the Occupational and Environmental Health Committee to lead the discussion. After a feu; words of introduction, Mr. Lindell asked Dr. G.W. Wright to review the work of the Scientific Committee during the past year. Dr. Wright repeated that there is definitely a threat of cl8ar-cut evidence of lung cancer associated with asbestos fibre. This facthas led to the development of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health in order to cope. - f'Tzy W :../i c 'V' I I ! I the probl^s involved. Within the Institute, there is a Scien tific Committee uihich has over the past year developed new in. formation on the subject, with the aim to advise on how to uti lize asbestos fibre without danger to health. The members of the Scientific Committee and their reputation are well known; they are: Or. Ternand Cre'goire, S3r. Marvin Kuschner, Dr. Daniel Braun, Dr. Paul Kotin, Dr. John Beattie, Dr. Geo.W. Wright, Dr. P. Pelnar, Secretary. With respect to significant publications issued last year on the problem, it can be said that the information given i3 rather directional and not quantitative. Three of these papers are of special interest. 1. One by Dr. Enterline, which shows that there are excessive deaths among the asbestos -textile population. 2. The second one is a follow-up by Dr.Selikoff on asbestos exposure, smoking and neoplasia. This study points to the relationship between the two factors in lung cancer - Cocar cinogenesis. This leads to scare-articles, such as that which appeared about Expo. 3. A third one by Dr. Cralley suggests that trace-metals in corporated with fibres may be the cause of cancer. There is a need and the Scientific Committee is looking for reliable date other than that provided by a study of a group of insulation workers. The epidemiological survey of Dr. McDonald is a good case with chrysotile fibre, and the kind of study required with well defined exposures. Dr. McDo nald elso proposes to study the incidence of mesothelioma in Canada. . .. -- , .../3 Wore studies, especially prospective studies, are badly needed and interest in that type of work must be gene rated. Information is also lacking on the basic chemical andbiological action of asbestos on the body; work in this field must be promoted. At this point, Dr. UJright tabled the proposed agenda for the second Antigua Conference. The agenda is divided into four () parts: 1. Characterization and control of environmental exposure. 2. Interaction between asbestos and biological system. 3. Disease injnan (epidemiology) 4. Report from various countries. So far, appreciable information have been collected under the supervision of Dr. Pelnar in the Montreal Office. Any request for information to be directed to this Office. O.A.n.A. is also fortunate to have Messrs. Lindell and Sabourin on the Executive Committee, to discuss and stimu late the thinking of the members of the Scientific Committee, particularly vis--vis the work of Dr. Selikoff, who has been a healthy nemesis. : The President having expressed sincere thanks to Dr. Wright, the Chairman of the Committee then submitted two additional lists of guests recommended to participate in the V. V 4. Antigua Conference. The participation of this group will invol ve an additional expense of 335,000.00. The Chairman moved that such an amount (less any sums than can be recovered from the regular budgets) be approved as to complete the invitations and program oe the proposed Antigua Conference. -- .... .... ADOPTED. The Secretary of the Executive Committee was asked to report and did so by distributing a detailed report covering meetings of the Scientific Committee, various Scientific Symp osia specimens of current papers and information on environ mental research laboratory. The question was raised as to the recent bad publi city concerning asbestos and health. Not only has Dr. Selikoff's latest paper been given wide publicity across Canada concerning the alleged relationship between smoking, asbestos lung cancer, but the Financial Post recently had an article on asbestos insu lation in British railway coaches which seems almost actionable. The Public Relations 'Committee is of the ooi'nion that the time has come for us to produce some rebuttal, and is anxious to meet with the Scientific Committee of the Occupational and Environmental Health Committee with a view to discussing the possibilities of providing some counter propaganda, as agreed at the Jasper meeting last Summer. .../5 c c 3, m'- It was statsd by the Chairman that it was not possible at this time to produce any counter-publicity, such as suggested by the Public Relations Committee, since suf ficient scientific data is not yet available. However should any company wish to issue pertinent information, it could very well use some of the publicity recently released in England. To this effect, copies of said releases will be distributed to all members for the use of their individual company. ' *fj*7*' . * - - v- - - Effects of the Carter Report on the Mining Industry At a joint meeting of the QMMA and QAMA Taxation Committee, it was agreed that some representations should be made to the Provincial Government as to the effects of the Carter Commission Recommendations insofar as they concern the mining industry. The mechanics of making such representations were discussed and it was suggested that there were two (2) ways of doing this. a) Write directly to the Prime Ministeroffering to-: make such representations if he so wished, either ; to him directly or to the Committee, which we understand has been set up to study the effects of-the Carter Commission Report on Quebec, or b) Talk to the Minister of finance, Mr. Dozois, at the time of presenting the brief on ths Blanger Commission making the same offer. ... - . . . ' * v - . M y -T 3T> - ,../6 c In the meantime members are to revieui the preli minary draft of the brief to the Mining Association of Cana da-to the Federal Government with a view to including a copy of it with any representations made to Quebec with our endorsation and together with any supporting evidence which would be available with particular reference to the Province of Quebec. It was felt that similar factors apply in consi dering whether the Quebec Mining Association should also make representations to Ottawa, bearing in mind that there is very little time available. effectively, a draft letter has been prepared by the Secretary of the Taxation Committee, Mr. Victor St-Onge, covering several aspects of the Carter Report, said letter to beaddressed to the Prime Minister of this Province. This letter stresses the economic contribution of the mining industry to Quebec, through employment, tax assessments, support to secon dary industry etc. Cases of doubtful mining projects as a result of the Carter Recommendations would be pointed out, as well as the importance of mining incentives in determining the economics when the decision must be made to develop or not a newly discovered orebody. Since the meeting of the Taxation Committee, Quebec Cartier Mining Company offered copies of a typical letter to suppliers in which it requested their support in opposing the recommendations of' the Carter Commission with respect to the mining industry, since suppliers would be indirectly affected by any change in the tax burden of the mining industry. .../7 // c c r 1 Special Winter Meeting Dates suggested are the first part of the fourth (4 th) week of January or March, preferably March. The place could b6 I . - -v, - - . - -- 1. The Hilton Head Hotel 2. Grand Bahama Club 3. Santa Barbara 8iltmore Next Regular Meeting The next regular meeting of the Association will be held on October 16, 1967, in Quebec City. ^.. Ad journment There being no further business, the meeting is formally adjourned. Paul A. filteau Secretary & General Manager