Val-des-Sources

Val-des-Sources (French pronunciation: [val.de.suʁs]), meaning "Valley of the Springs", formerly known as Asbestos (pronounced [asbɛstoz]), is a town on the Nicolet River in the Estrie (Eastern Townships) region of southeastern Quebec, Canada.[5] The town is the seat of Les Sources Regional County Municipality, formerly known as the Asbestos Regional County Municipality. The town covers an area of 30.25 square kilometres (11.5 sq mi), including land acquired due to the merger of the City of Asbestos with the Municipality of Trois-Lacs on December 8, 1999.

Val-des-Sources
Town
Official seal of Val-des-Sources
Seal
Coat of arms of Val-des-Sources
Coat of arms
Motto: 
Non deserit alta
Location within Les Sources RCM.
Location within Les Sources RCM.
Val-des-Sources is located in Southern Quebec
Val-des-Sources
Val-des-Sources
Location in southern Quebec.
Coordinates: 45°46′N 71°56′W[1]
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionEstrie
RCMLes Sources
ConstitutedDecember 8, 1999
Name change[2]December 15, 2020
Government
[3]
 • MayorHugues Grimard
 • Federal ridingRichmond—Arthabaska
 • Prov. ridingRichmond
Area
[3][4]
 • Town31.70 km2 (12.24 sq mi)
 • Land30.25 km2 (11.68 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[4]
 • Town7,088
 • Density234.3/km2 (607/sq mi)
 • Urban
5,623
 • Pop 2016-2021
Increase 4.5%
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
J1T
Area code819
Highways R-249
R-255
Websitevaldessources.ca
Canada's biggest power shovel loading an ore train with asbestos at the Jeffrey Mine, Johns-Manville Co., Asbestos, Quebec, June 1944.
Strikes in spring 1975 at Asbestos (Quebec)
Val-des-Sources mining industry (then named Asbestos), circa 1923.
Dimensions of the mine in August 2011: width 2 km (1 mile), depth 370 metres (1200').

At the 2021 census, 7,088 people resided in the town. It is situated in the centre of a square formed by the cities of Drummondville, Sherbrooke and Victoriaville, and the Nicolet River to the north. It is the site of the Jeffrey mine, which used to be the world's largest asbestos mine,[6] which has long been the town's largest employer, and of the now-closed Magnola magnesium refinery. It was the site of the 1949 Asbestos strike.

Due to the negative connotations of the name Asbestos, discussions took place around whether the town should be renamed. A municipal referendum held in October 2020 selected the Val-des-Sources as the new name.[7] The change came into effect on December 15, 2020.[2]

History
Vesuvianite from the Jeffrey mine

During the 1960s the town was thriving and could afford to expand and invest in its infrastructure and municipal architecture. It built a new modern town hall whose main hallway was adorned with a mural by the artist Denis Juneau, as well as some ceramic pieces in the church by famed ceramist Claude Vermette.

In late 2011, one of the last two remaining asbestos mines in Canada, the Jeffrey mine, halted operations.[8] In June 2012, a $58-million loan was promised by the Quebec government to restart and operate the Jeffrey mine for the next 20 years.[9] In September 2012, before the loan funds were delivered, the Parti Québécois defeated the Quebec Liberal Party in the Quebec provincial election. The Parti Québécois followed through with an election promise to halt asbestos mining and to cancel the loan, and put funding toward economic diversification in the area.[10][11]

Name change

At various times since the decline of asbestos mining, residents and politicians in the area have proposed changing the town's name due to its negative connotations;[12] however, past proposals often failed, with people involved in the debate noting that because the town is predominantly francophone and the mineral is referred to as amiante rather than asbestos in French, its residents do not typically associate the town's name with the stigma around the mineral.[13]

A name change plan was approved by the municipal council in November 2019, with the new name chosen by a public poll.[14] On September 14, 2020, the mayor announced that residents would be able to vote to rename the town to either Apalone, Jeffrey, Phénix or Trois-Lacs.[15] The choices were not well received, and more names were added to the list. The referendum was held in October to allow the townspeople to choose from among six names: L'Azur-des-Cantons, Jeffrey-sur-le-Lac, Larochelle, Trois-Lacs, Val-des-Sources, or Phénix.[16] The referendum results were announced on October 19, 2020. 51.5% of voters chose the name Val-des-Sources in the third round of a preferential ballot.[17] In Quebec, a municipal name change must be proposed to the Commission de toponymie du Québec and then approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing before it takes effect,[18] which occurred on December 17, 2020. For most purposes the name change took immediate effect, although the town's rebranding of its own billboards was not expected to take place until January 2021, and Canada Post required until April 19, 2021 to complete the necessary changes in its postal addressing system.[19]

Some residents who remained opposed to the name change organized a petition drive calling on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to deny its approval, on the grounds that not enough of the town's residents participated in the referendum, and that the referendum did not include any option to express a preference for maintaining the existing name.[20] Minister Andrée Laforest rejected the petition and approved the name change,[19] which came into effect on December 15, 2020.[2]

Places of interest

Close to downtown Val-des-Sources, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the Trois Lacs resort, the golf club or the cycle path. Also, the Festival des Gourmands is the main festive event in the city. Music is a big part of the city thanks to the Harmonie d'Asbestos, an institution long recognized throughout the region during the years 1945-60 and the Camp musical d'Asbestos, which welcomes young musicians from all over Quebec.

Government

In the 2021 municipal elections, Hugues Grimard was reelected unopposed as mayor of Val-des-Sources. Grimard was initially elected in 2009, defeating the incumbent mayor Jean-Philippe Bachand with 52% of the votes. Bachand tried unsuccessfully to unseat Grimard and regain his former seat in the 2013 election but Grimard was re-elected with 60% of the votes. In the 2017 elections, Bachand finally return to city council by winning a seat as a councillor but he was unseated in 2021 when Isabelle Forcier won his councillor seat with 60% of the votes.[21][22]

Current Government

Mayor: Hugues Grimard

Councillors:

  1. Isabelle Forcier
  2. Andréanne Ladouceur
  3. René Lachance
  4. Caroline Prayer
  5. Jean Roy
  6. Pierre Benoit

Demographics
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
19966,793—    
20016,580−3.1%
20066,819+3.6%
20117,096+4.1%
20166,786−4.4%
20217,088+4.5%
[23]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Val-des-Sources had a population of 7,088 living in 3,460 of its 3,691 total private dwellings, a change of 4.5% from its 2016 population of 6,786. With a land area of 30.25 km2 (11.68 sq mi), it had a population density of 234.3/km2 (606.9/sq mi) in 2021.[24]

Canada census – Val-des-Sources community profile
2011
Population7,096 (+4.1% from 2006)
Land area29.67 km2 (11.46 sq mi)
Population density239.1/km2 (619/sq mi)
Median age51.1 (M: 48.4, F: 53.5)
Private dwellings3,467 (total) 
Median household income$36,994
Notes: Population in 1996: 6,793[25] (+4.7% from 1991) - Population in 1991: 6,487[25]
Includes corrections and updates for 1996.
References: 2011[26] earlier[27][28]

Religion (2001)[29]

Religion Population Percentage  % (of total in Quebec)
Catholic 6,135 95.5% 0.10%
No religious affiliation 210 3.3% 0.05%
Protestant 65 1.0% 0.02%
Buddhist 10 0.2% 0.02%
Canada 2016 CensusPopulation % of Total Population
Visible minority group
Source:[30]
Black350.5
Filipino100.2
Latin American200.3
Arab100.2
Total visible minority population751.2
Aboriginal group
Source:[30]		First Nations2103.3
Métis100.2
Inuit00
Total Aboriginal population2203.4
White6,11595.4
Total population6,410100

In terms of mother tongue, the 2016 census found that, including multiple responses, almost 98% of residents spoke French, and about 2% of residents spoke English. The next most commonly reported first languages learned were Spanish, Arabic and German.[31]

Mother Tongue Population (2011) Percentage (2011) Population (2016) Percentage (2016)
French 6,775 97.3% 6,505 97.2%
English 115 1.7% 90 1.3%
English and French 40 0.6% 40 0.6%
French and a non-official language 5 0.1% 0 0.0%
English, French and a non-official language 5 0.1% 5 0.1%
Arabic 5 0.1% 10 0.1%
German 5 0.1% 10 0.1%
Portuguese 5 0.1% 0 0.0%
Slovak 5 0.1% 0 0.0%
Spanish 5 0.1% 15 0.1%
Tagalog 0 0.0% 5 0.1%
Polish 0 0.0% 5 0.1%
Ukrainian 0 0.0% 5 0.1%
Italian 0 0.0% 5 0.1%
Mandarin 0 0.0% 5 0.1%
Canada Census Mother Tongue - Val-des-Sources, Quebec[23]
Census Total
French
English
French & English
Other
Year Responses Count Trend Pop % Count Trend Pop % Count Trend Pop % Count Trend Pop %
2011
6,955
 6,775 Increase 4.9% 97.41% 115 Increase 43.8% 1.65% 40 Increase 60.0% 0.58% 25 Decrease 73.7% 0.36%
2006
6,660
 6,460 Increase 2.1% 97.00% 80 Decrease 11.1% 1.20% 25 Increase 150.0% 0.38% 95 Increase 850.0% 1.43%
2001
6,435
 6,325 Increase 5.8% 98.29% 90 Increase 5.9% 1.40% 10 Increase n/a% 0.16% 10 Decrease 66.7% 0.16%
1996
6,095
 5,980 n/a 98.11% 85 n/a 1.39% 0 n/a 0.00% 30 n/a 0.49%

Transportation

The two most important roads entering Val-des-Sources are Road 249, connecting Val-des Sources to Magog, via Sherbrooke and Road 255 connecting Baie-du-Febvre to Bury while passing through Val-des-Sources and Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover

People from Val-des-Sources

See also

References
  1. "Reference number 2261 in Banque de noms de lieux du Québec". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec.
  2. "Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status and Names: From January 2nd, 2016 to January 1st, 2021" (PDF). Statistics Canada. November 21, 2021. p. 35. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  3. "Geographic code 40043 in the official Répertoire des municipalités". www.mamh.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation.
  4. "Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Val-des-Sources, Ville (V) [Census subdivision], Quebec;Asbestos [Population centre], Quebec". 9 February 2022.
  5. "Asbestos" in The New Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. 1, p. 613.
  6. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (U.S.) (March 5, 2006). Industrial minerals & rocks: commodities, markets, and uses. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-87335-233-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Quebec town of Asbestos votes to change name to Val des Sources". CityNews, October 19, 2020.
  8. "Asbestos mining stops for first time in 130 years". Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  9. "Asbestos mine reboot with Quebec cash sparks criticism". April 14, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  10. Quebec Budget: Finance Minister Nicolas Marceau tightens spending, levies new taxes Archived November 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Canada won't oppose asbestos limits". Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  12. "Five years after asbestos mine closure, Quebec town seeks new identity". The Globe and Mail, August 25, 2016.
  13. Amy Luft, "Tired of being linked to toxic substance, the Quebec town of Asbestos is changing its name". CTV News Montreal, November 27, 2019.
  14. Olson, Isaac (November 27, 2019). "Town of Asbestos, Que., changing its name". CBC News. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  15. Lowrie, Morgan (September 18, 2020). "Asbestos halts name change process after residents say they hate the alternatives". Montreal Gazette. Canadian Press. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  16. Leavitt, Sarah (October 18, 2020). "Set to be renamed, Asbestos, Que., grapples with history, identity". CBC News. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  17. Jérémy Bernier, "Asbestos devient Val-des-Sources". Le Journal de Québec, October 19, 2020.
  18. "Town of Asbestos chooses new name: Val-des-Sources". Montreal Gazette, October 20, 2020.
  19. "Town of Asbestos officially renamed to Val-Des-Sources". CTV News Montreal, December 17, 2020.
  20. Michel Saba, "Citizens had 'illusory power' in renaming, says man behind Asbestos petition". Montreal Gazette, October 22, 2020.
  21. "Hugues Grimard sollicitera un quatrième mandat à la mairie de Val-des-Sources". 23 May 2021.
  22. "Jean-Philippe Bachand sollicitera de nouveau la confiance des électeurs de Val-des-Sources".
  23. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
  24. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Quebec". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  25. "Electronic Area Profiles". Canada 1996 Census. Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  26. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  27. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  28. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  29. Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002.
  30. "Asbestos, Quebec (City) Census Subdivision". Community Profiles, Canada 2016 Census. Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017.
  31. "Asbestos, V". Detailed Mother Tongue (103), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data. Statistics Canada. 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
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