Clean Air Day in Canada
Since 1999, Canada has recognized the first Wednesday in June as Clean Air Day.
Recognizing this day helps remind us of the importance of clean air for good health and a clean environment. While air quality in Canada is relatively good, air pollution continues to impact our environment and health.
Air pollution can lead to heart and lung diseases, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death. In fact, there is no safe level of exposure to many air pollutants. Harm is caused even at low levels. In Canada, air pollution contributes to around 17,400 deaths each year and the annual cost of health impacts is estimated at $146 billion. Air pollution harms wildlife, vegetation and crops, and damages our buildings. It also contributes to other environmental issues, including biodiversity loss and climate change.
Air pollution in Canada comes from several sources, including human-caused and natural. Human-caused sources include the burning of fossil fuels for:
- transportation
- electricity use
- industrial processes
Natural sources of air pollution from wildfires, dust and pollen are becoming more of a concern due to climate change. Air pollution, including wildfire smoke, can travel great distances. This can impact other countries and all areas of Canada at times. Canada's air quality is similarly impacted by air pollution from other countries.
On June 4, this year's Clean Air Day, learn about where air pollution in your community comes from and what is being done to protect our air quality by working with others, including:
- provinces and territories
- international partners
- Indigenous Peoples
Clean Air Day also provides you the chance to learn about actions you can take to improve air quality, like,
- using public transportation
- carpooling
- planting trees
- turning off unused appliances
You can also learn about the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), a tool that helps you stay safe when air quality is poor.
Together, we can take action to reduce our own emissions to contribute to cleaner air for everyone.
Celebrate Clean Air Day
Find resources, ideas, and ways to get involved with Clean Air Day from our partners:
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Learn about clean air, get free promotional materials and download a kit to plan your own event.
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Find Clean Air Day tools, resources and information for Indigenous audiences. This includes a virtual gathering for Indigenous Youth interested in air quality and social justice issues.
Green Action Centre (Winnipeg, Manitoba, June 4, 2025)
Bring your families and students to celebrate and learn about air quality. Registration includes a Clean Air Day kit with resources and fun activities.
Green Venture Clean Air Day (Lawfield Elementary School, Hamilton, Ontario, June 4, 2025, 4:30-7 pm)
Join this interactive event featuring youth speakers, engaging booths and activities, short films created by children and youth. There will also be a Repair Cafe where you can get clothing mended for free.
2025 Eco-Solar Home Tour (Alberta, June 4, 2025)
Free tours of energy-efficient and solar homes in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta. Talk with homeowners and hear about their experiences with the latest energy-efficient technologies!
West Central Airshed Society (Alberta)
Learn about the importance of air sheds to help improve air quality.
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Resources to help promote clean air in Edmonton.
A Day for Clean Air (Quebec) (French only)
A day of fun and educational activities on the theme of air quality to be held in Montreal. Activities will be offered to children attending neighborhood day camps and to the general public, at the end of the day.
Watch and listen
Deep Breath, Deep Dive: Air Quality and Your Health
Watch season 2, episode 4 of the Healthy Canadians podcast. Hosts Megan Beahen and Alex Newman sit down with Angelos Anastasopolos, PhD, Scientist with the Water and Air Quality Bureau at Health Canada to explore how air quality can affect our health and what we can do about it. The Healthy Canadians podcast is produced by Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. It provides a space for nuanced conversations and expert insights on health topics that matter to all of us.
This is a great episode to learn about the complex conversations around air quality and your health.
Learn
Air pollution and air quality in Canada
Learn about Canada’s air quality and sources of air pollution.
Air quality and health
Learn about the effects of air pollution on your health and how to protect yourself.
Indoor air quality
Find out how you can make the air inside your home safer to breathe.
Government of Canada actions to reduce air pollution
Find out how we’re keeping the air clean through research, regulations, investments and international agreements.
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