Officials in Asbestos, Que., say they are tired of their town being named after a cancer-causing mineral that is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people around the world.
Asbestos Mayor Hugues Grimard said today in a news release the name carries an unfortunate connotation and it’s preventing the town from developing foreign business ties.
READ MORE: Canada set to announce a new ban on asbestos
He says he wants residents of Asbestos, located about 170 kilometres east of Montreal, to help come up with a new name, which will be announced sometime in 2020.
Get daily National news
The town was founded in the late 19th century around a massive open-air asbestos mine, which closed in 2011 and has become a tourist attraction.
- Toronto police seek suspect in possible hate-motivated assault with Orbeez-type gun
- Canadians may be impacted as Spirit Airlines shuts down operations ‘effective immediately’
- Carney says his stance on Iran war shifted as Trump’s goals ‘evolved’
- Carney’s trip to Armenia happening as Ottawa’s foreign policy aims shift, expert says
Asbestos fibre was once known as “grey gold” was used in building materials all over the world until the discovery of its carcinogenic properties.
READ MORE: Asbestos exposure leading cause of work-related deaths in Saskatchewan
The World Health Organization says the inhalation of asbestos fibres causes lung cancer, mesothelioma and other diseases and has killed tens of thousands of people globally.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.