Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Asbestos reveals short list for new town name

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Sep, 2020 06:10 PM
  • Asbestos reveals short list for new town name

The town of Asbestos, Que., looking to shed its link to the hazardous substance, has narrowed the search for a new name to four contenders.

Mayor Hugues Grimard announced on Monday that the four possibilities residents will vote on next month are Apalone, Jeffrey, Phenix and Trois-Lacs.

The names refer respectively to an endangered turtle, the name of the city's first asbestos mine operator, a mythical bird and a former municipality that merged with Asbestos in 1999.

The Eastern Townships town has long debated changing its name due to the negative attention it receives, and the area has exited the asbestos industry after the Jeffrey mine closed in 2012.

The town, about 130 kilometres east of Montreal, helped make Canada one the world's leaders in asbestos exportation.

Long used in building materials such as ceiling tiles and cement, it's now banned in many countries.

The World Health Organization says the inhalation of asbestos fibres causes lung cancer, mesothelioma and other diseases and is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths around the world.

Municipal council adopted a plan to change the name in November 2019, but the process has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The community of more than 7,000 will vote at city hall between Oct. 14 and Oct. 18, using a ranked ballot.

Anyone 14 and older will be permitted to vote, but those under 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent.

MORE National ARTICLES

Climate, U.S. campaign on collision course

Climate, U.S. campaign on collision course
The U.S. president, meanwhile, is doing his level best to divorce the fires from climate as he visits California for an update on the wildfires.

Climate, U.S. campaign on collision course

Ministers warn COVID researchers of threats

Ministers warn COVID researchers of threats
Signed by Industry Minister Navdeep Bains, Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, the statement recommends strong cyber- and physical-security protocols.

Ministers warn COVID researchers of threats

Smoke from U.S. wildfires wafts east to Alberta

Smoke from U.S. wildfires wafts east to Alberta
Relief will not come as quickly for B.C. residents, with the air quality index showing smoky conditions will improve only marginally by Tuesday.

Smoke from U.S. wildfires wafts east to Alberta

Fire chars New Westminster, B.C. waterfront park

Fire chars New Westminster, B.C. waterfront park
New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote called the situation at Pier Park "devastating" in a social media message posted late Sunday night.

Fire chars New Westminster, B.C. waterfront park

CN rail train derails near Hope, B.C.

CN rail train derails near Hope, B.C.
The railway says preliminary information indicates the cars derailed off of a rail bridge.

CN rail train derails near Hope, B.C.

Cable of B.C. gondola cut for second time

Cable of B.C. gondola cut for second time
Vandals were blamed for cutting the nearly six-centimetre thick cable in August 2019 while the ride was closed, sending about 30 gondolas smashing to the ground.

Cable of B.C. gondola cut for second time