Radon gas can cause lung cancer within 1 year...
Sadly, the bedrock, upon which Canadian cities lie, may contain radon, a gas formed from the break down of uranium in the soil and rock. It's a true silent killer because like carbon monoxide, it's odorless, tasteless and invisible.
Where is it mostly found?
There's no common hotspot per se - a house can be infected with radon but the next house may not. And a house that was not infected by radon can still get radon later on (because the fact it does not currently have it is likely due to the house not having any gaps/cracks in its concrete base slabs, but over time, it may and radon can seep through). And radon is most likely and more easily detected in basements (the closest part of the house to the bedrocks).
What can you do?
Fear not! You can get your house inspected for radon and seal the places it's emanating from, while also installing a radon exhaust fan to expel that vicious thing.
There are test kits that are approved by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program. These can be used to detect radon over more than 3 months (usually 12 months minimum is the best recommended testing duration), while other shorter term test kits are not approved... I can see you have a 'WTF' expression there... So "Where's The Fish", right?
WTF! Waiting for 12 months to have a lab report (from a recommended test kit by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program) to confirm/disprove there's radon at your home... And what'd you do in the meantime if there's radon and you have to wait for 12 months (plus 3 weeks for the lab report)? Actually, no. You can also get radon detectors that will give you live readings.
In fact, I think, when someday I have that basement of mine, I will put that non approved radon detector (but from a brand that has proven their detectors work) to measure the levels of radon first. If it's got radon, then we'll have to get radon inspectors to come and check and then install the exhaust fan. If there's no radon detected, then, the long term test kit can still be used. At least, I know that for the immediate short term, there's no radon. In any case, having a live detector (even it's not endorsed by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program) anyway to monitor over many years is still recommended, I believe.
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