Canada's Pollution Ranking: How Bad Is The Great White North?

Canada has been facing issues with pollution, particularly air pollution, which poses health risks to the population and is an area of concern for lawmakers. In 2023, Canada was the most polluted country in North America, with the top 13 most polluted cities in the region. This was due to wildfires, driven by warm temperatures and dry conditions, which sent unhealthy air across the country and beyond. However, overall pollution levels have been decreasing, with 14 out of 17 monitored air pollutants showing a decline compared to historical levels. In 2021, Canada's air quality was rated as Good, meeting the World Health Organisation's recommendations.

Canada's air quality in 2023 was the worst in North America due to wildfires

The impact of the wildfires on air quality was felt across most regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including the US and as far away as China and Europe. In the US, smoke from the wildfires caused pollution events with record-high PM2.5 levels. The long-range wind transport of pollutants from the wildfires caused six main widespread air pollution episodes in Canada and the US.

While Canada has made progress in reducing overall pollution levels, it continues to face environmental challenges. Air pollution in Canada is contributed to by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production. Oil sand pollution, a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), has increased by 20% since 2009. Tar sands facilities are among the top four highest polluters of VOCs.

To address air quality issues, Canada has implemented a plan to encourage businesses to invest in green technologies and set national emission caps for four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain: nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. Limits will also be set for other air pollutants, such as mercury from fuel-based electricity generation and benzene from the natural gas and steel industries.

Canada's air quality in 2021 was Good according to the World Health Organisation

Canada's air quality in 2021 was 'Good' according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The country had a US AQI figure of 32, which is in line with the WHO's recommendations. The WHO's 2021 guidelines were updated to reflect the large impact that air pollution has on global health.

Canada has been taking steps to improve its air quality, with plans to encourage businesses to invest in green technologies. The country has set national emission caps for four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain: nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. Limits have also been set for other air pollutants, such as mercury from fuel-based electricity generation and benzene from the natural gas and steel industries.

Despite these efforts, pollution remains an environmental issue in Canada. It has posed health risks to the population and is an area of concern for lawmakers. Air pollution in Canada is contributed to by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production. While overall pollution levels have dropped, oil sand pollution has increased by 20% since 2009. Tar sands facilities are among the top four highest polluters of volatile organic compounds, a major air contaminant.

In 2023, Canada was ranked as the most polluted country in North America by IQAir. This was due to the wildfires that burned across the country, driven by warm temperatures and dry conditions. The smoke from these wildfires affected air quality in nearby regions, including New York state.

Oil sand pollution has increased by 20% since 2009

Canada's overall pollution levels have dropped in recent years, but oil sand pollution has increased by 20% since 2009. Tar sands facilities are among the top four highest polluters of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a major air contaminant. VOCs are toxic and can affect health.

The oil and gas industry is the largest source of Canadian climate pollution, at 28% of the country's total emissions. This is up from 17% in 1990 and 23% in 2005. Oil sands are an unconventional source of oil composed of a mix of sand, clay, water, and bitumen, which is a dense form of petroleum similar to asphalt. Bitumen is difficult to extract and requires more energy and emissions of climate-warming gases than drilling for conventional oil.

Canada's oil sands are the fourth-largest oil deposit on Earth and are among the most energy-intensive to access and process. Indigenous communities living near Canada's oil sands have long worried about the health impacts of the cloud of air pollution rising from the vast industrial mining complex. A recent study found that oil sand operations are emitting between 20 and 64 times more air pollution than previously reported.

While Canada's overall air quality has improved in recent years, the country experienced its worst air quality in 2023 due to wildfires. The smoke from these fires spread to New York and the Northeast, dropping air quality levels to very unhealthy and hazardous levels.

Air pollution in Canada is contributed to by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production

In 2023, Canada was the most polluted country in North America, according to IQAir. This was largely due to the wildfires that burned across the country throughout the year, driven by warm temperatures and dry conditions.

Industrial emissions

The oil and gas industry, electric utilities, and the ore and mineral industries are the main sources of SOX emissions in Canada. The oil and gas industries, transportation, and off-road vehicles and mobile equipment are key sources of NOX emissions. The oil and gas industry, paints and solvents, and agriculture (livestock, crop production and fertiliser) are major sources of VOC and NH3 emissions, respectively.

Vehicular emissions

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 Government of Canada has introduced strict regulations to decrease air pollution from vehicles and engines, and fuel consumption of cars and light trucks will be regulated to ensure they use fuel efficiently.

Agriculture

Agricultural crops can be injured when exposed to high concentrations of various air pollutants, and this can result in reduced growth and yield, or even the premature death of the plant. Agriculture is also the second-largest source of PM2.5 emissions, which can have negative health effects such as asthma symptoms, chronic bronchitis, and heart attacks.

Construction

Construction is a source of localised pollution that can impact workers and surrounding communities. Different types of construction result in different types of pollution, and some pose greater health and environmental risks than others. For example, demolition of buildings and earthworks activities like excavation and piling generally pose greater air pollution risks than construction and dragout.

Wood burning

Residential wood burning is a major source of winter air pollution in Canada, particularly in rural areas. In some provinces, such as British Columbia and Quebec, residential wood burning accounts for a significant proportion of PM2.5 emissions. To reduce air pollution, Canada is banning wood burning during smogs, and only fireplaces and stoves that meet the latest Canadian standards can be used.

Energy production

Canada's current patterns of energy production and consumption are a source of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Coal-fired power plants are among the largest stationary sources of air pollution in the country, emitting harmful pollutants such as sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury. However, Canada is investing in cleaner sources of electricity, such as hydropower, which already accounts for approximately 60% of the country's total electricity.

Canada is expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol

Canada's pollution levels have been a cause for concern in recent years. In 2023, wildfires across the country caused by warm temperatures and dry conditions led to a significant drop in air quality, with smoke spreading across the country and into the US. This resulted in Canada being ranked as the most polluted country in North America for the first time since IQAir's annual report began in 2017.

Despite this, Canada is expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol. This protocol, which is the most recent of the eight protocols supplementing the LRTAP Convention, includes commitments for a percentage reduction in emissions of SO2, NOx, NH3, and VOCs from 2005 levels. Canada's success in meeting these commitments is largely due to the Air Quality Management System (AQMS), a cornerstone of the country's approach to addressing outdoor air pollution.

In addition to the Gothenburg Protocol, Canada has also made commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. To achieve this, the federal government has endorsed the PCF, which includes over 50 concrete actions across four pillars: pricing carbon pollution, complementary actions to reduce emissions, adaptation and climate resilience, and clean technology, innovation, and jobs.

Furthermore, Canada's Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory shows that 14 out of 17 monitored air pollutants are decreasing compared to historical levels. While overall pollution levels have dropped, oil sand pollution has increased by 20% since 2009, with tar sands facilities being among the top four highest polluters of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Despite the challenges posed by wildfires and increasing oil sand pollution, Canada remains committed to reducing emissions and improving air quality. The country has set national emission caps for four key air pollutants associated with smog and acid rain and plans to encourage businesses to invest in green technologies.

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