The Town Of Asbestos, Quebec, Chooses A New, Less Hazardous Name

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A photo taken in July shows what’s left of the Jeffrey asbestos mine in Asbestos, Quebec. The town has voted to change its name to Val-des-Sources.

Eric Thomas/AFP via Getty Images

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Eric Thomas/AFP via Getty Images

The winning name was a late entry: After a shortlist of finalists came under criticism, a new list of six options was put forth.

So in a drive-in vote held in recent days in a local parking lot, the town selected a new future. Residents age 14 and older could participate, and nearly 2,800 townspeople cast a vote — almost half of those who were eligible.

It was thus decided: Absestos will become Val-des-Sources, which captured 51.5% of the vote.

The name is slated to change officially in December.

«This is truly a historic moment we are living. I thank the people for voting in large numbers,» Mayor Hugues Grimard said in a statement. «The council and I are proud to see that the process was able to rally the citizens. We can thus affirm that the name Val-des-Sources is one to which citizens adhere.»

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• Canada