Asbestos is a mineral that can be crumbled when dry (friable), resulting in small fibres being released into the air. It was commonly used in both residential and commercial building products for most of the 20th century. The National Building Code permits the use of non-friable asbestos (not easily broken or able to crumble into pieces) in limited applications like resilient flooring, fire-retardant boards, and some piping. Find more information on asbestos from Health Canada.

The Government of Canada carefully manages risk associated with asbestos contamination. All buildings that contain asbestos must have an asbestos management plan. The Department of National Defence (DND) is working with landlords and lessors to ensure that outstanding plans—for asbestos recently discovered in buildings—are developed.

DND follows the Asbestos Management Directive to:

• Not procure asbestos-containing material in its new construction, renovations and works projects

• Manage-in-place any material found in its buildings and works

• Identify, implement and keep a national registry (inventory) of existing material in all its real property assets and minimize risk for human exposure