Saying it’s doing something that’s long overdue, the Trudeau government’s announcing it’s looking to ban asbestos by 2018.
Condemned by the World Health Organization and banned in some 50 countries, the known carcinogen contaminates homes and buildings and kills thousands every year.
Ottawa says there will be new rules under the Canadian Environmental Protect Act, new workplace health and safety regulations intended to drastically limit risk to those who come into contact with asbestos.
Building codes will also be changed to prohibit its use in new construction and renovation projects.
The government’s also promising to ban the import of products that contain asbestos, such as certain construction materials and automotive brake pads.
More than 2,000 workers will die of asbestos-related diseases this year.