A breath of fresh air for Canadian town formally known as Asbestos

A SMALL Canadian town can now breathe a breath of fresh air as it finally has its name changed from Asbestos.

The Quebec town of Asbestos, which was once the location of the world’s largest asbestos mine, is home to around 7,000 people and took the name, which studies have linked to deadly illnesses such as cancer, due to its mining heritage of the mineral.

Since the mineral has been banned worldwide for many, although Canada only banned it from manufacturing, importing, using and exporting in 2018, the town has voted to change its name to the “Val-des-Sources”.

Residents of the small Canadian town, Val-des-Sources, can now take a big breath of fresh air as they move forward and away from the negative connotations attached to the Asbestos name.

Among other possibilities shortlisted, Trois-Lacs, came in second place, with L’Azur-des-Cantons, Jeffrey-sur-le-Lac, Larochelle and Phénix also in the running.

Val-des-Sources received just over 51% of the votes.