Released on April 18, 2013
Saskatchewan is poised to become the first province in Canada to require mandatory reporting of public buildings that are known to contain asbestos.
The Public Health (Howard’s Law) Amendment Act passed third reading today. The legislation will require information to be reported about public buildings found to contain asbestos. The public registry applies to buildings owned by health regions and their affiliates, those used by or connected to schools, and buildings owned by the provincial government and prescribed crown corporations. Other buildings can be added in the future through enactment of regulations.
“People want and deserve to have easier access to information about the presence of asbestos in public buildings,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “A public registry will help provide residents with relevant information about this important issue.”
In November, the province launched a voluntary registry of public buildings that are known to contain asbestos and posted a new online asbestos information guide. The move was in response to the efforts of Howard Willems, an advocate for public reporting of asbestos, who died from a rare form of cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.
“This registry is an important step forward in protecting Saskatchewan workers,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said. “We are approaching the Day of Mourning when we remember those injured or lost through workplace injury and disease. All of us need to work together to make sure that all of our workers come home safe every day.”
The new legislation includes requirements for both online and on-site public reporting. For more information, visit www.lrws.gov.sk.ca/asbestos.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594
Shannon McMillan
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0253
Email: shannon.mcmillan@gov.sk.ca