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ToxinFree
SENTINEL ARCHIVE / CASE #032

Canada

Prohibition of Asbestos and Asbestos Products Regulations under CEPA (Canadian Environmental Protection Act) came into force in 2018, banning all uses, import, and export.

2018Full Ban
2018
Year Banned
11.3
per million/yr
Mesothelioma Rate
~4 million homes built…
Buildings at Risk
1950s-1990s
Peak Usage Era

Regulatory Timeline

  1. 1970s

    1. 1979Event

      Quebec chrysotile mining at peak; Canada historically world's second-largest chrysotile producer

      ↗ Source

  2. 1980s

    1. 1987Regulation

      Occupational exposure limits set; first comprehensive federal workplace asbestos regulations enacted

      ↗ Source

  3. 2010s

    1. 2012Event

      Jeffrey Mine (Quebec) closes — last active chrysotile mine in Canada

      ↗ Source
    2. 2016Regulation

      Federal Trudeau government announces intent to ban asbestos; exports continue during phase-out period

      ↗ Source
    3. 2018Legislation

      Prohibition of Asbestos and Asbestos Products Regulations in force under CEPA — complete ban

      ↗ Source

Key Figures in Detail

Context and sources behind the numbers

2018Ban Year

All forms of asbestos have been banned since 2018. Buildings constructed before this date may still contain asbestos materials.

11.3Mesothelioma Rate

11.3 cases per million people per year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, with a latency period of 20–50 years.

This rate indicates significant historical asbestos exposure in the population.

Source year: 2020

Buildings at Risk

Estimated scope of asbestos-containing materials still present in the built environment.

~4 million homes built before 1990

1950s-1990sPeak Usage Era

The period when asbestos was most heavily used in construction. Buildings from this era have the highest probability of containing asbestos materials.

Material Identification Guide

Common materials still present in buildings

pipe insulation

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–1980

vinyl-asbestos floor tiles

MODERATENon-friable

1950–1980

asbestos-cement flat sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

textured ceiling coating

HIGH RISKFriable

1950–1985

joint compound

HIGH RISKFriable

1945–1977

↗Learn more

What To Do If You Live Here

  • Your country has banned asbestos, but older buildings may still contain legacy materials.
  • Buildings built before the ban year may contain asbestos-containing materials.
  • Hire a certified asbestos surveyor before any renovation or demolition work.
  • Do not disturb older building materials without professional testing.

Check Your Property

Enter your building's age and type for a personalized asbestos risk assessment.

Check My Property's Risk

Sources

Last updated: 2026-03-13

Information aggregated from public sources including IBAS, EPA, and WHO. Not legal or medical advice.

How we source our data →