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An action plan is needed to address exposure to radon in Manitoba as it is a cause of lung cancer

On Thursday May 12, in Question Period, I asked the government what the plans are for addressing the high levels of radon in far too many homes in Manitoba.  My question and the response is below.  

Radon Exposure Levels
Action Plan to Address

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, each year radon–a radioactive gas and a major cause of lung cancer–is respon­si­ble for about 150 new lung cancer cases and 110 deaths in Manitoba.

      Madam Speaker, 24 per cent of homes in Manitoba have high radon levels, second highest in Canada. Some com­mu­nities are much higher: Brandon, 37 per cent; the region of Portage, Morden and Winkler, 44 per cent; the RM of Dauphin, 71 per cent; the RM of Harrison Park, 79 per cent.

      The gov­ern­ment needs to implement a major ac­tion plan to address this serious public health issue, including subsidizing the mitigation of homes to reduce radon levels.

      I call on the gov­ern­ment to act today. Will it?


Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I certainly ap­pre­ciate the ques­tion from the member.

      And certainly, as we–as lead, we take radon very seriously too, as well, Madam Speaker. We know that 'radion' is a very–an issue that we will take seriously, and certainly, I would welcome the member from River Heights to have a discussion with me on the seriousness of it.

      As a matter of fact, we–as homeowners, Madam Speaker, we have taken action as well. We've tested our home for radon. And I think Manitobans will be, obviously, wanting to test their homes for radon.

      We want to make sure that gets done and working in non-partisan ways, we'll get it done, Madam Speaker.

 

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