Canada's Most Polluted Province: A Toxic Environment

Canada is home to a number of highly polluting provinces, with Alberta being the most polluting by far. In 2022, Alberta emitted over 270 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e), an increase of 52% compared to 1990 levels. The province's large oil and gas industry is the main contributor to its high emissions, with vast oil sands that are home to some of Canada's most carbon-polluting sites. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, is the second-largest polluter, with emissions from heavy industry, oil refineries, chemical manufacturing, and a natural gas plant. Other highly polluting provinces include Saskatchewan, which is home to several coal and gas-powered plants, and Quebec, which emitted the most CO of all provinces in 2022, largely due to its ore and mineral industries.

Alberta is Canada's most polluting province, with 42 of the country's top 100 emitters

Ontario's emissions have been decreasing since 2005, while Alberta's continue to rise. The Sarnia area in Ontario is home to about half of the province's largest emitters, including oil refineries, chemical manufacturing, and a natural gas plant. However, Alberta's fossil fuel industry and oil sands remain the primary drivers of the province's high emissions.

In 2022, Quebec emitted the most CO of all the provinces and territories, representing 25% of total national emissions. The ore and mineral industries, particularly the aluminum industry, were the most significant sources of CO emissions for Quebec. Alberta ranked second, with 23% of total national emissions, with off-road vehicles, mobile equipment, and the oil and gas industry as the main contributors.

While Alberta is the top polluting province in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, other provinces also have significant emitters. Ontario and Saskatchewan, for example, have large industrial sites and power plants that contribute to their respective provinces' emissions. Hamilton, a city in Ontario, had the highest rate of air pollution in the province in 2016 due to industry and car travel.

Ontario is the third-largest CO emitter, with 21% of total national emissions

Ontario is the third-largest CO emitter in Canada, with 21% of total national emissions. It is Canada's most populous province and was responsible for the second-largest volume of GHG emissions in 2022, at 157 MtCO₂e. Ontario's emissions have been falling since 2005. The Sarnia area is home to about half of Ontario's largest emitters, including oil refineries, chemical manufacturing, and a natural gas plant. The province also has large emitters in heavy industry, such as cement and steelmaking. In 2016, the city of Hamilton had the highest rate of air pollution in the province, mostly due to industry and car travel.

Ontario's emissions are dwarfed by those of Alberta, which was Canada's most polluting province by far in 2022. Alberta emitted over 270 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e), an increase of 52% compared to 1990 levels. Alberta's large oil and gas industry is the main contributor to the province's high emissions. Alberta is home to vast oil sands where some of the most carbon-polluting sites in Canada are located, such as the Syncrude project on the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit. As of 2019, Alberta had 42 of the country's top 100 emitters, responsible for roughly 119 MT of greenhouse gases, most of them related to the fossil fuel industry.

Quebec is the second-largest CO emitter in Canada, with 23% of total national emissions. The ore and mineral industries, specifically the aluminium industry, are the most important source of CO emissions for Quebec. Saskatchewan is the third-heaviest polluter in Canada, with 13 sites responsible for 13% of emissions from the top 100 across the country. Seven of those sites are power plants that run on coal or gas, five owned by the provincial government.

Saskatchewan is the third-heaviest polluter, with 13% of emissions from the top 100 sites

Alberta is Canada's most polluting province by far, with 42 of the country's top 100 emitters. The province's fossil fuel industry is the main contributor to its high emissions. Alberta is home to vast oil sands where some of the most carbon-polluting sites in Canada are located, such as the Syncrude project on the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit.

Ontario is the second-most polluting province, with 157 MtCO₂e in 2022. The Sarnia area is home to about half of Ontario's largest emitters, including oil refineries, chemical manufacturing, and a natural gas plant. The province also has other large emitters in heavy industry, such as cement and steelmaking.

Other provinces with notable levels of pollution include Quebec, which emitted the most CO of all the provinces and territories in 2022, and British Columbia, which has several cities with poor air quality, including Vancouver and Victoria.

Hamilton had the highest rate of air pollution in Ontario in 2016

Alberta is Canada's most polluting province, with Ontario being the second most polluting. However, in 2016, Hamilton had the highest rate of air pollution in Ontario. This was mostly due to industry and car travel. The Jones Road area of Hamilton had the highest levels of air pollution, with high readings of nitrogen dioxide, suspected to be from heavy diesel truck traffic. Wentworth Street North had higher levels of both particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, while Eastport Drive had elevated levels of nitrogen oxide, likely from the Skyway Bridge.

Despite this, air pollution in Hamilton has improved over the past two decades. Since 2014, Hamilton has not had one Special Air Quality Advisory or smog day, which is thought to be due to the closure of the Nanticoke coal-fired power plant, as well as coal-fired power plants in the United States Midwest.

Quebec emitted the most CO of all the provinces in 2022, with 25% of the total national emissions

In 2022, Quebec emitted the most carbon monoxide (CO) of all the provinces in Canada, with 25% of the total national emissions. Quebec's CO emissions were largely due to the ore and mineral industries, particularly the aluminium industry, which accounted for 92% of the province's CO emissions.

However, other sources claim that Alberta is Canada's most polluting province, with 42 of the country's top 100 emitters. Alberta's large oil and gas industry is the main contributor to its high emissions. The province is home to vast oil sands, including some of the most carbon-polluting sites in Canada, such as the Syncrude project on the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit.

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, is responsible for the second or third-largest volume of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ontario's emissions are attributed to heavy industry, including oil refineries, chemical manufacturing, and a natural gas plant. The province also has large emitters in the cement and steelmaking industries.

Other notable polluting provinces in Canada include Saskatchewan, which ranks third on the list of heavy polluters, with 13 sites responsible for 13% of emissions from the top 100 across the country. Seven of these sites are coal or gas-powered plants, five of which are owned by the provincial government.

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