Over the summer, an article in the Forester quoted Federal Minister of Health Tony Clement as he announced regulations coming soon to reduce flame-retardants known as PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers). These chemicals are used in a wide variety of

materials and consumer products from fabrics to auto parts to electronics. They have been declared toxic to the environment and to human health.

Clement is quoted as saying, “This is about (Canada) getting out of the manufacturing process.” One problem with this comment is that these products are not even manufactured in Canada. The import of products that we use on a daily basis, that contain this toxic chemical, continues. Many of the banned PBDEs have already been phased out. Another problem with the announced regulation is that the ban does not include DecaBDE, the only PBDE mixture that is commercially available in Canada.

If protecting the natural environment and reducing your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals is important to you, electing a Conservative government is not the way to go.

Trisha Healy
Huntsville