“Russian residents’ plea to be allowed into Canada as environmental refugees”

Siberian women from coal town. (Source: CBC News)

“In a video addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dozens of residents from the Russian city of Kiselyovsk have pleaded to be allowed to migrate to Canada to avoid coal dust pollution from nearby mines."

"The residents argue that the widespread air pollution from coal mining in the Kuzbass is the equivalent of ‘discrimination on social grounds’ which is recognised by Canada as a factor in determining eligibility for refugee status.”

“While Canada’s refugee policy is silent on environmental factors, the residents’ plea has gained international attention. Coal dust pollution is so bad in Komerovo, 180 kilometres to the north of Kiselyovsk, that black snow covered the town in February.” From Coal Wire newsletter, Issue 279, June 19, 2019.

Read More:
Women in Siberian coal town beg Trudeau to let them come to Canada as environmental refugees. CBC News, June 11, 2019.