News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 1, 2012
PSAC supports proposed asbestos registry
REGINA, SK – The Public Service Alliance of Canada stands behind Saskatchewan’s Official Opposition as they introduce a private member’s bill to create an asbestos registry of all public buildings under the Public Health Act.
The union that represents more than 4,300 federal government employees in Saskatchewan has been championing this issue for years after Howard Willems, a PSAC member in Saskatchewan, was diagnosed with mesothelioma (an asbestos related cancer of the lungs) and began the fight for awareness and public safety.
“PSAC represents federal public service employees, many who work in buildings that may contain asbestos and they along with their families have a right to know,” explains Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President for the PSAC Prairie Region. “This is an important public safety issue and we applaud the Official Opposition for taking a stand on it.”
Cam Broten, Saskatchewan MLA for Saskatoon Massey Place and Official Opposition Critic for Health, Seniors, Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration tabled the bill for first reading in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan on Thursday morning. Debate will follow at a later date.
Hladun is in attendance in the Speakers gallery and available for comment in the rotunda immediately following the announcement.
The PSAC represents nearly 180,000 workers across the country, including more than 2,500 in Regina and 1,800 in Saskatoon. The Prairie Region, comprised of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, has nearly 23,000 PSAC members.
From left to right: Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President for the PSAC Prairie Region; Kelly Harmsworth, Howard Willem's daughter-in-law; Jesse Todd, Howard Willem's son and PSAC member; Audrey Berlovan, Howard Willem's sister and PSAC member; Cam Broten, Saskatchewan MLA for Saskatoon Massey Place.