ASBESTOS, Que. — The Quebec town of Asbestos will soon know its new name.
Residents of the town in the Eastern Townships had until last night to cast their votes among six options: L'Azur-des-Cantons, Jeffrey-sur-le-Lac, Larochelle, Phenix, Trois-Lacs and Val-des-Sources.
The town is expected to unveil the winner during a live-streamed municipal council meeting tonight.
Asbestos, about 130 kilometres east of Montreal, helped make Canada one the world's leaders in asbestos exportation.
The Jeffrey mine, once Canada's largest, closed in 2012.
The town of over 7,000 residents has been looking to shed its association with the toxic mineral due to its negative impact on people's health.
While some residents are opposed to the name-change, the town says it is a historic moment.
Asbestos residents over age 14 and local property owners were eligible to cast their votes for the new name last week.
If none of the options receives a majority of top votes on the ranked ballots, the town says it will go to a second round of voting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2020.
The Canadian Press
