Canada's Pollution Problem: Is It Getting Worse?

Pollution is an environmental issue in Canada, with air, water and soil pollution posing health risks to the population. While Canada ranks seventh lowest in the world for pollution, the burden is still too high, with vulnerable populations—including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples—disproportionately affected. Transportation is one of the main sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, with cars, trucks, trains and aeroplanes responsible for more than a quarter of all emissions. However, data from 2019 shows that Canada is expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020.

Air pollution in Canada

Air pollution is a concern in Canada, despite the country ranking seventh lowest in the world for pollution. It is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production. Transportation is one of the main sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, with cars, trucks, trains and aeroplanes contributing to more than a quarter of all greenhouse gases and air pollutants in Canada.

Canada's population and economy growth increases the demand for the production and supply of services, transportation and housing. The energy required to meet such demands comes partially from fossil fuels, which affects air quality. The growing demand for Canadian exports, such as the oil and gas industry, also generates the release of air pollutants.

Air pollution has been linked to negative health effects in Canada, with an estimated 21,000 premature deaths attributable to air pollution each year. The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health estimated that 5.3% of deaths among Canadians in 2015 were attributable to pollution. Vulnerable populations, including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples, are disproportionately affected by air pollution in Canada.

Despite these concerns, air pollution levels in Canada are relatively low compared to other countries. The Government of Canada has set Canada Wide Standards (CWS) for PM2.5 and ozone levels, and data from 2019 shows that Canada is expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol.

Water pollution in Canada

There are two major types of water pollution in Canada: surface water pollution and groundwater pollution. Groundwater contaminants point sources include municipal landfill sites, industrial waste disposal sites, leaking gasoline storage tanks, leaking septic tanks, and accidental spills. Distributed, or non-point sources include infiltration from farmland treated with pesticides and fertilisers. Groundwater pollution affects water supplies as the contaminants eventually reach rivers, lakes and oceans.

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) cannot be easily traced to one source, making it more difficult to regulate. NPS accounts for a substantial amount of water pollution in Canada, and the problem has not been addressed as vigorously as point-source emissions. NPS pollutants from largely unregulated sources include land development and agriculture. By 1998, British Columbia reported that NPS was the major cause of water pollution in that province. The main types of NPS are sediment, nutrients, toxic contaminants and chemicals, and pathogens.

Transboundary pollution is water pollution that originates in one region or country but threatens water quality in another jurisdiction. An example is the contamination of the Columbia River by Teck Resources in Trail, British Columbia, which contaminated the river downstream in the American State of Washington.

The Canadian federal government has launched a number of initiatives to respond to water pollution, including the Freshwater Action Plan (2017) and the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan (2017). On 11 December 2023, Bill C-61, First Nations Clean Water Act, was introduced in Parliament. As of December 2024, it was still in the committee review phase. The Bill aims to address the long-standing water crisis in First Nations communities, where many lack access to safe and adequate water systems.

Soil pollution in Canada

Pollution is an environmental issue in Canada, and it has posed health risks to the Canadian population. While soil pollution is not yet an area of great national concern, it is still present in the country. Some of the main causes of soil pollution in Canada include chemical/oil spills into the ground, road salt, excessive pesticide use by farmers, acid rain, and polluted water. Oil refineries, like those found in Alberta, have become some of the most dominant contributors to Canadian soil pollution. A further example can be witnessed in Calgary, where a neighbourhood built on an old Imperial Oil refinery needed their soil replaced due to contamination. As a result of Canada's icy winters, salt is needed to de-ice slippery roads. The primary ingredient of road salt is sodium chloride, which can have serious consequences for soil.

Acid Deposition is a leading cause of soil degradation. The acidic particles from pollutants become part of the soil, harming the pH with such low acidity and therefore harming the organisms that live within the soil. Environment Canada has stated that "soil degradation degrades the land and places significant stress on ecologically sensitive biota and flora". Soil degradation in Canada's biologically sensitive forests as a result of pollution is one of the most significant cases of degradation in the country.

Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs also pollute the soil. PCBs are released into the environment through spills, leaks from electrical and other equipment, and improper disposal and storage. Poor agricultural soil practices and logging are also sources of land pollution, exposing the bare topsoil to wind and water erosion, or the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which gradually accumulate in the soil and reduce crop growth or make crops unsafe for human consumption.

Transportation as a source of pollution in Canada

Pollution is an environmental issue in Canada, posing health risks to the population and an area of concern for lawmakers. While Canada ranks seventh lowest in the world for pollution, the burden is still too high, with many pollutants not considered in the Commission's work. Vulnerable populations, including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples, are disproportionately affected by pollution in Canada.

Transportation is one of the main sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Cars, trucks, trains, and aeroplanes all contribute to air pollution and are responsible for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gases and air pollutant emissions in the country. The combustion of fossil fuels to power vehicles and engines has major adverse impacts on the environment and the health of Canadians. Initiatives to reduce emissions from vehicles, engines, and fuels can have significant positive effects on air quality, acid rain, smog, and climate change. The federal government is committed to protecting the environment and the health of Canadians by implementing measures to reduce emissions from vehicles.

Canada is working towards reducing the environmental impact of transportation. This includes developing regulations for vehicles and engines, promoting sustainable transportation options, and ensuring efficient modes of transportation. For example, fuel consumption of cars and light trucks will be regulated to ensure they use fuel efficiently. Additionally, Canada is working with the United States to create a Clean Auto Pact, which will instigate an environmentally ambitious North American standard for cars and light trucks.

Pollution Probe's latest report, funded by the Natural Resources Canada Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative, explores how Canada can achieve zero-emission long-haul trucking. The report examines hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric trucks as alternatives to diesel-powered Class 8 vehicles. With insights into infrastructure needs, market readiness, and policy opportunities, the report guides fleet operators and policymakers on a sustainable path forward.

Canada is also projected to gain over $7.5 billion in health and environmental benefits by 2030 from the Tier 3 vehicle and fuel standards. These standards are expected to reduce annual on-road vehicle smog-forming emissions, lower smog-forming air pollutant emissions from new vehicles, and reduce sulphur in gasoline limits.

Canada's emission reduction commitments

Canada has been working to reduce its emissions and meet its emission reduction commitments. In 2019, data showed that Canada was expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol. This was due to 14 out of 17 of the air pollutants monitored showing a decrease compared to historical levels.

Canada has also been working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2006, thirteen Canadian municipalities filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling for a reduction in coal-fired plants. The Climate Change Accountability Act called for greenhouse gas emissions to be 25% below 1990 levels by 2021 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. While the bill was passed by the House of Commons, it was ultimately defeated by the Senate. Despite this setback, Canada has continued to work towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, with Environment Minister Jim Prentice stating in early 2010 that the new goal for greenhouse gas emissions would be 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Transportation is one of the main sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, with cars, trucks, trains and aeroplanes contributing to more than a quarter of all emissions. To address this, Canada has committed to working with the United States to create a Clean Auto Pact, which will instigate an environmentally ambitious North American standard for cars and light trucks. This will include regulating the fuel consumption of these vehicles to ensure they use fuel efficiently.

While Canada ranks seventh lowest in the world for pollution, the burden is still too high, and many vulnerable populations, including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples, are disproportionately affected by pollution. The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health estimated that 5.3% of deaths among Canadians in 2015 were attributable to pollution, highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

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