Magic and Lethal: The Asbestos Memorial
Published: January 14, 2026
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In September 2022, the BC Labour Heritage Centre dedicated Magic and Lethal: The Asbestos Memorial along the Vancouver waterfront. The memorial’s centrepiece is Doug R Taylor’s sculpture, “Wind Wheel Mobile”. Rich in symbolism, it is an iconic reminder of those lost to asbestos exposure and a reminder of the danger that continues. In addition to the artwork, the memorial also includes two plaques, that describe the tragic history of the magic mineral. Also included is a poem by Order of Canada recipient John Gray.
The memorial is located in a very high profile site on the northwest corner of the public seawall around the Vancouver Convention Centre. For decades, asbestos was shipped through these waters from the Cassiar Mine in northern BC to the dock in North Vancouver. Asbestos was banned in Canada in 2018. The memorial is the first of its kind in North America to recognize the victims.