Though the Canadian government once supported the industry, the nation banned asbestos in 2018. However, mesothelioma cases continue to rise as workers exposed on the job decades ago begin to show symptoms. In 2022, a total of 472 Canadians died of the asbestos-related disease.
Learn more about mesothelioma, asbestos and the steps you can take to fight this disease.
Pat Martin, an MP at the time, speaking at the 2012 Walk to Remember Asbestos Victims in Sarnia, Canada
Risk of Mesothelioma in Canada From Asbestos
Occupational asbestos exposure, putting Canadians at risk for mesothelioma, is an ongoing issue in the country. An estimated 235,000 Canadian workers experienced some type of asbestos exposure while on the job. Of these workers, 5% have high exposure, 46% have moderate exposure and 49% have low exposure. Most of these are workers within the construction industry.
Key Facts About Mesothelioma and Asbestos in Canada
In 2019, the latest year with available incidence data, 460 Canadians received a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Direct use and handling has declined, but legacy asbestos remains in older buildings. Anyone who spends a lot of time in these aging structures has a higher risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. Legacy asbestos is a big risk factor for mesothelioma cancer. Many Canadians also continue to receive diagnoses of other asbestos-related diseases today like lung cancer and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma Cancer and Canadians
Most cases of mesothelioma in Canada stem from inhaling asbestos while at work. Family members can also be exposed when someone with primary exposure accidentally brings home asbestos fibers on their hair, clothes, skin or shoes. Asbestos fibers easily break down into dust and float through the air. When an individual breathes these particles in, they get trapped within the sensitive tissues of the chest and abdomen, leading to years of irritation. This irritation can change the DNA of cells, causing them to become cancerous.
Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to develop into disease and manifest symptoms. This latency period makes getting an early diagnosis difficult, with many cancers diagnosed only after they develop into later stages.
I wasn’t caught totally off guard with my diagnosis. It just took 48 years before the effects of my asbestos exposure finally showed up.
Ron Green, former worker for asbestos manufacturer Johns Manville and pleural mesothelioma survivor
Mesothelioma Cases Continue to Rise
The annual mesothelioma rate in Canada has jumped from 75 cases in 1993 to 250 in 2017 and again to 460 diagnosed cases in 2019. The disease’s extended latency period of decades means that new cases will likely continue to emerge for some time.
The rate of this cancer in men aged 60 and under has slightly declined. However, rates of mesothelioma in women have increased.
Canada continues to experience an increase of new mesothelioma cases despite asbestos ban.
Chemical Valley: Roughly 40% of Canada’s chemical industry is near Sarnia in Ontario in an area known as “chemical valley.” It’s estimated that thousands of pipes running through the valley were covered in asbestos insulation and much of it still remains.
Shipyards: At the start of World War II, Canada had 3 shipyards. This was expanded to 90 facilities with more than 126,000 men and women working to produce 4,047 naval vessels during the height of heavy asbestos use in shipbuilding.
In addition to these industrial sites and mines, Canadians also face exposure to legacy asbestos in a number of historic sites and federal buildings across the country. The Government of Canada reports more than 200 federal properties are currently known to contain asbestos.
These include: the Information Centre in Banff, Alberta; the SS Klondike Visitor Centre at the SS Klondike National Historic Site in Whitehorse, Yukon; and the Georgina Point Light Keepers House in Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia. The list also includes a wide variety of other structures like administrative buildings, caretaker’s cottages and golf course clubhouses.
Jayda K.
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Canadian Mesothelioma Survivor: ‘Advocate for Yourself’
The Ottawa, Ontario, resident was diagnosed at age 31. It took an expert pathologist who specialized in mesothelioma to identify the cancer. Jayda was most likely exposed to asbestos as a child through her father, who worked in a lab at a coal mine where he used and tested asbestos products. He also did mechanical work with asbestos parts on the machinery.
Canadian workers are still at risk of exposure across many industries, especially those who spend significant time in older buildings. Asbestos use in building materials was at its height before the 1980s. Insulation, roofing shingles, paint and floor and ceiling tiles are some of the biggest categories of asbestos-containing products.
Higher-Risk Occupations in Canada
Carpenters
Construction workers
Insulation installers
Military service personnel
Miners
Nuclear facility workers
Plumbers
Roofers
Ship loaders
Shipbuilders
Textile workers
Truck drivers
Demolition and remodeling of older buildings is often dangerous because it disturbs the asbestos. The material is most hazardous when the fibers get crushed. Asbestos dust becomes airborne, making it easier to breathe in. Breaking any product made with asbestos releases tiny fibers into the air that are a health threat to anyone nearby.
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Canada officially banned asbestos in 2018 with the Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations. However, some industries received an exemption to continue legally using the toxic mineral within stated regulations.
The military and nuclear energy industries have until 2029 to phase out asbestos use. The deadline is 2030 for the chloralkali industry. Another notable exception is magnesium extraction companies, which can continue to use asbestos mining waste.
The government has also moved toward restricting talc products such as cosmetics. Canada will likely label talc as an official toxic substance because of frequent asbestos contamination. Some Canadians may be able to file lawsuits involving asbestos-contaminated talc.
Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in Canada
Some Canadian residents may be eligible for compensation if their exposure happened on the job as a result of an employer’s negligence. Provincial governments have a system in place to pay patients and families experiencing the impacts of asbestos in Canada. Anyone whose exposure occurred while living or working in the United States can file a claim in the U.S. to seek compensation.
Speak with an experienced attorney specializing in asbestos-related illnesses to determine if your case qualifies you for compensation from a trust fund or lawsuit. You must have proof of your diagnosis and evidence of asbestos exposure. Most eligible people can receive compensation in three to six months.
Asbestos Lawsuits and Trust Funds for Canadians
Mesothelioma patients in Canada have the option to file either a lawsuit or trust fund claim to get financial compensation. Family members who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma can also file a lawsuit to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Patients and families can use the money to help cover the cost of medical bills, lost work and other expenses related to their diagnosis. Eligible residents can pursue additional options for compensation or financial assistance through the Canada Pension Plan, WorkSafeBC disability pension or Veterans Affairs, which offers disability pensions and class action lawsuits.
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Canada’s socialized medical model makes treatment options for mesothelioma accessible to many patients. Doctors use a multimodal approach to treat mesothelioma. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy are frequent methods of treatment. Some patients may also be eligible for clinical trials.
Heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery have proven safe and effective for some individuals with peritoneal mesothelioma. In patients with pleural mesothelioma, adding Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to standard chemo treatments can increase survival rates.
Canadian Treatment Centers
Mesothelioma treatment centers provide a wide range of options to patients. The treatment center that’s right for you depends on factors like the type of mesothelioma you have, how far your cancer has progressed and your ability to travel for care. Some centers also take patient age and overall health into consideration.
Speak with your doctor regarding your options for treatment to get recommendations on the best options for you. Discuss your goals and plans with your family as well. It’s important to have a support system to rely on as you focus on your treatment.
You can find a variety of Canadian healthcare providers familiar with asbestos-related diseases, including oncologists, radiologists and surgeons. The number of doctors who specialize in treating mesothelioma continues to increase.
Seek out medical practitioners who have experience and training in treating mesothelioma. Their specialized knowledge and skill sets allow them to provide the best possible care.
Top Mesothelioma Specialists in Canada
MESOTHELIOMA DOCTOR
LOCATION
Robert MacRae, M.D.
Ottawa, Ontario
Christopher Lee, M.D.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Rufus Scrimger, M.D.
Edmonton, Alberta
Marc de Perrot, M.D.
Toronto, Ontario
Walley Temple, M.D.
Calgary, Alberta
Clinical Trials
You may want to consider participating in a clinical trial. The Canadian Cancer Society and the U.S. National Cancer Institute often work together on clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of emerging mesothelioma treatments and refine existing therapies.
One current clinical trial open to eligible candidates is taking place at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario. This study is researching the safest effective dose of a new type of radiation after surgery. It ends in 2025.
An excellent source to check for open clinical trials throughout Canada is the Government of Canada website. If you’re considering a clinical trial, speak with your doctor about eligibility.
Common Questions About Asbestos in Canada
What year was asbestos banned in Canada?
Canada banned asbestos in 2018 with the Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations, but left several legal exemptions. The military and nuclear energy industries can use asbestos until 2029, while the chloralkali industry has until 2030 to stop usage. Magnesium extraction companies can continue to produce asbestos mining waste.
While all asbestos mines closed by 2011, many older buildings still pose an exposure risk as they contain materials made with asbestos.
How many people died as a result of asbestos in Canada?
Recent mesothelioma rate statistics show that cases steadily increased over the years, reaching 460 diagnoses in 2019. An estimated five Canadians receive an asbestos-related diagnosis every day.
2022 statistics reported 472 deaths from mesothelioma. 377 of these were men and 95 were women.
Where did asbestos have the most impact in Canada?
The regions in Canada that experienced the most impact from asbestos were those that contained large mineral deposits where workers mined and transported the material. This includes British Columbia, Newfoundland, Quebec and Yukon. Miners, along with truck drivers and ship loaders, had high levels of exposure daily.
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My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Selby, K. (2026, March 11). Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Canada. Asbestos.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/canada/
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Selby, Karen. "Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Canada." Asbestos.com, 11 Mar 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/canada/.
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Selby, Karen. "Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Canada." Asbestos.com. Last modified March 11, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/canada/.
The Patient Advocates are absolutely amazing and helpful! I am so very pleased with the information and the emotional support that I have received from everyone! When I felt all hope was lost, Amy gave me great information and was so compassionate. I do not feel alone, and I know there is strong support for anyone dealing with this tragic disease. I received a FREE information package, including a recipe book, information on the disease, a toll-free number to contact for assistance, and a book with the answers to 100 questions that are commonly asked. This information alone was worth my time! I read for hours and hours, and just that alone—knowledge—can be a great comfort. To fully understand this disease, to just have the knowledge!!! Thank you all!! Thank you so, so much.
I found out about The Mesothelioma Center while researching peritoneal mesothelioma days after being diagnosed with the malignant cancer. While a lot of the 'Mesothelioma' websites are actually law firms just trying to get your business, theirs is a user-friendly, comprehensive website set up to aid patients, their loved ones, and/or caregivers with all things related to a cancer diagnosis from asbestos exposure. I was soon put in touch with one of their doctors, Snehal Smart, M.D., who immediately sent me a packet of general information, a book on surviving mesothelioma, and offered me assistance in finding doctors, reputable law firms, financial help, support groups, and so much more! The Mesothelioma Center's website is, in my opinion, the best resource for anyone suffering from cancer due to asbestos. Dr. Smart is amazing! She is very knowledgeable and helpful, but she is also a very kind, caring doctor who goes the distance whether she is researching a pertinent topic, making suggestions, providing contacts, or just being a good listener on the other end of the phone. In addition, Dr. Smart referred me to a law firm who is now fighting to get me compensation for the negligence of those defendants whose products exposed me to asbestos and caused my subsequent cancer. Thank you, TMC and Dr. Smart, for helping me determine the best treatment plan for my cancer and being part of my miracle. I am currently cancer-free and back to being a mom to my precious daughter. The Mesothelioma Center, their website, and their staff rock!!
I reached out and talked to Aaron a couple of weeks before my diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. He was very helpful and gave me a lot of information at that time. I have talked to him several times since and always gotten my questions answered. Aaron is very knowledgeable and has been very helpful and supportive. He also sent me a comprehensive packet of information, including info on nutrition, legal help, and medical resources.
My brother was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. I began researching it online. The information I received from The Mesothelioma Center is all-inclusive. No need to look anywhere else! The first phone call was with Karen, and she answered all my questions with ease. She also had a calming effect by presenting all the options available for my brother and his family. Thank you!
My Dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and thankfully The Mesothelioma Center was the first place I called. Snehal Smart answered the phone immediately and was very helpful. She immediately sent us an information packet and answered questions. She followed up each week to see how things were going and if we had any questions. She also connected us with a lawyer. I highly recommend this Center.
An occupational scientist or another expert who specializes in occupational hazards reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current scientific standards and accuracy.
Arti Shukla, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned asbestos researcher known for her achievements in identifying biomarkers that cause mesothelioma. She is the director of the Shukla Research Lab, as well as a professor of pathology at The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine.
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