Tories Threaten Asbestos Widow with Legal Action

Public Relations 101: Do NOT intimidate elderly women who have lost their husbands to an industry your government actively supports.

The Conservative Party of Canada is threatening legal action against the widow of a man who died of an asbestos-related cancer because she used their logo in online ads. Michaela Keyserglink's husband died of mesothelioma two years ago, and ever since she's campaigned for the Conservative government to stop propping up Quebec's asbestos industry. And now, she's received a letter from the Tory executive telling her that she's illegally used their trademark and can expect further action if she doesn't comply. Keyserglink says she won't comply until she can talk to someone from the party over why they're so committed to supporting an industry that is better at killing developing world workers than much else. (We're guessing they'd give the stock answer that chrysotile asbestos is safe if handled properly and that the Conservatives refuse to get in the way of legitimate business.) Keyserglink's husband, who was the Progressive Conservative riding president for Ottawa Centre (home to the Parliament buildings, dontchaknow), had been exposed to asbestos when he worked on naval ships as a teenager.