Asbestos was once a major industry in Canada, and for more than a century it has played an important role in the country’s economy. From the late 1800s until the mid-1980s, asbestos was mined extensively throughout the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. At its peak, Canada was the world’s largest producer of asbestos, providing up to 90 percent of the world’s supply.
The history of asbestos mining in Canada began in the late 19th century when large deposits of the mineral were discovered in the province of Quebec. The first commercial asbestos mine opened in 1876, and by the early 20th century, the demand for asbestos had grown significantly. In 1911, the Dominion Asbestos Company was formed to exploit the Quebec deposits, and by the 1920s, the world’s first large-scale asbestos mines were established in the province.
Asbestos quickly became an important export for Canada, and by the 1940s, the country was supplying almost three-quarters of the world’s asbestos. This was largely thanks to the opening of the Jeffrey mine in Asbestos, Quebec, which quickly became the world’s largest asbestos mine. By the 1950s, the Canadian asbestos industry was in full swing, with asbestos mines in both Quebec and Ontario and production reaching an all-time high of 1 million tons per year.
The Canadian asbestos industry continued to thrive until the 1980s, when concerns about the health hazards of asbestos began to emerge. In 1983, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified asbestos as a carcinogen, and in 1986, the Canadian government passed the Asbestos Mining and Milling Regulations, which set new safety standards for asbestos mining. As a result, the industry began to decline, and by the mid-1990s, all asbestos mines in Canada had closed.
Today, asbestos is no longer mined in Canada. However, the country still produces asbestos-containing products, and the legacy of asbestos mining in Canada still lingers. For years, the communities of Quebec and Ontario that were home to asbestos mines have been dealing with the health and environmental impacts of asbestos mining. In recent years, the Canadian government has taken steps to address these impacts and has provided funding for research and programs to help those affected by asbestos.
While asbestos mining is no longer a major industry in Canada, the legacy of asbestos mining in Canada will continue to be felt for years to come.