Why Air Quality Forecasting?

Health research has now shown that there is no threshold for the health effects of smog and that the majority of health effects caused by air pollution, including the most serious, (hospitalization and death) occur at ozone concentrations below the value used to issue smog advisories.

Canadians need up to date and more frequent information about air quality than the handful of advisories currently available each year. Smog forecasts issued every single day allow sensitive individuals, particularly children, the elderly and those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, to make their plans based on the what they know about their own response to air pollution. Daily air quality forecasts, combined with public awareness programs at the community level, allow Canadians to make more informed choices in much the same way the UV Index works in assessing the risks of exposure to the sun.

Creating a National Air Quality Forecasting System

Currently, Environment Canada is involved in key partnerships across the country to deliver air quality forecasting. Community response has been positive, however, there is a recognition that the program should be expanded, both geographically and scientifically. The proposal is for a national system that provides daily air quality forecasts to Canadians.

On June 21, Environment Canada announced it will supplement its existing programs with an initial investment of $1 million to expand and improve its Air Quality Prediction Program. The expansion will create air quality forecasts that give Canadians accurate and up-to-date information on impending smog conditions. This investment is part of the government's commitment to develop consistent and reliable environmental prediction tools and information programs for all Canadians.

As a first step and over the summer of 2000, the federal government will work with its provincial and municipal partners and health organizations to issue daily air quality forecasts in the areas most affected by smog, particularly in the maritime provinces, Quebec, and the lower mainland of British Columbia. Environment Canada will also work with the Government of Ontario to expand the information base for its system of daily forecasts already in place.

The Air Quality Prediction Program will support and foster partnerships with provinces, municipalities and health organizations to deliver air quality predictions across Canada. Warning and informing Canadians about the air quality and providing smog forecasts in their area enables them to take actions to protect their health and reduce emissions at the personal and community level.

The Air Quality Forecasting Program will expand and improve across Canada as more research is completed. An example of that expansion is the inclusion of air quality models that include particulate matter (PM), a toxic air pollutant that persists year round. Air quality forecasts that include PM will be another important step forward in warning and informing Canadians about air quality.

The investment will make prediction methods and models more reliable, and expand both geographic scope and the number of pollutants that can be predicted. These tools and appropriate training will be provided to Environment Canada meteorologists and partners so the Canadians can receive clear and reliable air quality forecasts every day.

Air Quality Services - What’s in place now?

The availability of air quality forecasting varies from province to province and from region to region within provinces. For the current status of air quality forecasting in each province, click on the link above.