maaxx.ca

The small Canadian town of Asbestos, which decided it needed a name change, removed the name derived from its mining heritage.

The Quebec city, which has some 7,000 inhabitants, voted for “Val-des-Sources” as its new nickname.

The city was once home to the world’s largest asbestos mine.

It was given the English name for the mineral – rather than the French name friend – at the end of the 19th century.

But the city council said that connotation was hampering its ability to attract foreign investment and announced last November that it was looking for a new name.

The city, located about 150 km (95 miles) east of Montreal, finally announced the winning title with great fanfare Monday evening.

It was chosen after extensive consultation and a vote of the town’s residents, including those as young as 14 years old.

About half of the city’s residents eligible to vote did so. Val-des-Sources won with just over 51% of the votes in the third round of voting.

This name is “above all inspiring for the future,” declared Major Hugues Grimard.

Other possibilities on the shortlist were L’Azur-des-Cantons, Jeffrey-sur-le-Lac, Larochelle, Phénix and Trois-Lacs, which came in second.

Asbestos will not change its street signs immediately, said Mr. Grimard, who suggested it could be the end of the year before the formal and legal change.

“It will be a nice Christmas present,” he said.

The town of Asbestos prospered for more than a century thanks to chrysotile asbestos manufactured in its open-cast mine. The mine suspended operations in 2011.

Once considered a miracle mineral, asbestos was used in the construction industries to reinforce cement, for insulation, roofing, fireproofing and sound absorption.

But by the mid-20th century, concerns about its use grew as more and more studies linked asbestos to deadly diseases.

Inhaling asbestos fibers has been linked to cancer and other diseases.

Global demand plummeted when countries around the world began banning asbestos. Canada was a laggard, only banning its manufacture, import, use and export in 2018.