[Rockhounds] New name for a Canadian town called Asbestos

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

*The small Canadian town of Asbestos that decided it needed a rebrand has
done away with the name derived from its mining heritage.*

The Quebec town, home to some 7,000 people, voted for "Val-des-Sources" as
its new moniker.

The town was once the location of the world's largest asbestos mine.

It was given the English name for the mineral - rather than the French
* amiante *- in the late 19th Century.

But the town's council said the connotation hindered its ability to attract
foreign investment, and announced last November that the hunt was on for a
new name.

The town, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Montreal, finally announced the
winning title with some fanfare on Monday evening.

It was picked after a lengthy consultation and a vote by town residents,
including those as young as 14.

About half the town residents eligible to cast ballots did so.
Val-des-Sources won with just over 51% of the vote in the third round of
voting.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54608836