Statement by the Honourable Lisa Raitt, P.C., M.P. Minister of Natural Resources

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jun 10 (MARKET WIRE) --
Today I want to personally communicate my deep regret for wording I used
in a private discussion earlier this year which was inadvertently
recorded.

As someone who has had their personal life deeply affected by cancer, my
intent was certainly not to show any disrespect for cancer victims,
survivors or their families. However, it's clear that these remarks have
been interpreted in that way, so I want to offer a clear apology to
anyone who has been offended by what I have said.

I want these people to know that when I was eleven I watched my father
pass away from colon cancer over a period of 18 months. My mother and I
took care of him until his final days. Twenty years later I was in the
room as my brother died from lung cancer after suffering for 16 months.

This is a very personal issue for me, and one I do not take lightly.

With respect to the medical isotopes issue, I will continue to work with
Minister Aglukkaq and the international community to address the isotope
shortage in Canada and around the world.

Thank you.

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at
www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.

Contacts:
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
Office of the Minister
Steve Outhouse
Acting Director of Communications
613-996-2007

Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
Media Relations
613-992-4447

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