Search the indicators

Results

Results

• Air quality

  The Air quality indicator tracks ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ground-level ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the national, regional and urban area levels and at local monitoring stations. The national and regional indicators are presented with their corresponding 2020 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards.

  • Air
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map

• International comparison of urban air quality

  This indicator presents and compares the air quality in selected Canadian and international urban areas that have a population greater than 1 million.

  • Air
  • International

• Air pollutant emissions

  Air pollutant emissions indicator tracks emissions from human activities of 6 key air pollutants: sulphur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Black carbon, which is a component of PM2.5, is also reported.

  • Air
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map / figure

• Emissions of harmful substances to air

  This indicator tracks human-related emissions to air of 3 substances that are defined as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999: mercury, lead and cadmium and their compounds. For each substance, data are provided at the national, regional (provincial and territorial) and facility level and by source. Global emissions data are also provided for mercury.

  • Air
    Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map / figure

• International comparison: air pollutant emissions in selected countries

  This indicator presents total emissions and emissions intensity for member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The emissions of 5 pollutants are reported: sulphur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The indicators focus on the top 10 emitting member countries of the OECD.

  • Air
  • International

• Air health trends

  The Air health trends indicator was developed as a tool to monitor trends in public health impacts in Canada attributable to short-term exposure to 2 major outdoor air pollutants: ground-level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Specifically, the indicator estimates the change over time in the percentage of all deaths and in the percentage of hospitalizations that can be attributed to exposure to O3 and PM2.5.

  • Air
  • Regional / National

• Population exposure to outdoor air pollutants

  This indicator tracks the percentage of the Canadian population living in areas where concentrations of outdoor air pollutants from all sources were less than or equal to the 2020 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards. The indicator uses the 2020 standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ground-level ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

  • Air
  • National

• Canadian species index

  The Canadian species index represents the average percent change in the abundances of Canadian vertebrate species' populations since 1970. The index is an average of trends, rather than a measure of change in the total number of animals: each species, whether it is common or rare, has the same effect on the index. The index reports general trends rather than progress towards desired levels.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• General status of wild species

  Extinction risks vary across groups, as does the state of knowledge. This indicator summarizes the general status of species in Canada and highlights the general status of particular groups of species, as well as the general status in each region (provinces, territories, and oceanic regions). It also reports on exotic species in Canada.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National
    Interactive figure

• Species at risk population trends

  This indicator shows whether the population and distribution trends of species at risk are consistent with the objectives set out in final recovery strategies or management plans. Results should be interpreted with caution as it can take many years for species to show progress towards their population and distribution objectives. Examples of challenges in this regard include the long timeframe involved, as it can take several generations for species to respond to management and recovery actions, and the need for enough time to collect and assess information.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• Changes in the status of wildlife species at risk

  The Changes in the status of wildlife species at risk indicator reports on changes in wildlife species designations for species assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The COSEWIC is composed of independent experts who determine the national status of Canadian wildlife species, subspecies, varieties or other designatable units that are suspected of being at risk of extinction or extirpation.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• Population status of Canada's migratory birds

  This indicator reports the proportion of bird species listed in the Migratory Birds Convention Act whose populations fall within, above or below national population goals. It provides a snapshot assessment of the state of bird populations in Canada. Some bird species are managed towards specific population levels (for example, some hunted species or species of conservation concern). While the indicator reports whether species' populations are within acceptable bounds, it does not indicate if management goals are being met.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• Trends in Canada's bird populations

  This indicator tracks changes in the average population trends of various groups of native Canadian bird species that are representative of their ecological groups. Bird species are categorized into species groups based on their feeding or habitat requirements. While bird populations fluctuate naturally, rapid declines can signal the need for urgent conservation action.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• Invasive alien species in Canada

  The Invasive alien species in Canada indicator reports the number of federally regulated invasive alien species that have become established in Canada since 2012. Species are considered established when a reproducing population exists in Canada and any eradication efforts have been abandoned.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• Extent of Canada's wetlands

  This indicator reports the current known extent or area of land in Canada covered by wetlands and establishes a baseline to measure future changes over time. A wetland is defined as a land that is saturated with water long enough to promote aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National

• Canada's conserved areas

  These indicators report the amount and proportion of Canada’s terrestrial (land and freshwater) and marine area that is recognized as conserved. Conserved areas are lands and waters which are managed in ways that achieve positive long-term outcomes for the conservation of biodiversity. They include protected areas as well as other effective area-based conservation measures.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map

• Global trends in conserved areas

  This indicator reports the amount and proportion of global terrestrial (land and freshwater) and marine area conserved for the preservation of nature. The indicator also shows a comparison of area protected among 10 selected countries. Global information on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures is collected, analyzed and made available by the World Database on Protected Areas and the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures.

  • Biodiversity
  • National / International

• Ecological integrity of national parks

  The Ecological integrity of national parks indicator summarizes the condition (good, fair, poor) and trend (improving, stable, declining) of ecosystems within 35 national parks, 7 national park reserves and 1 national urban park.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National
    Interactive figure

• Ability of the agricultural landscape to support wildlife

  This indicator calculates the potential value of land within the Canadian agricultural landscape to provide breeding habitat for terrestrial vertebrate species. Different types of land covers are assessed using the number of terrestrial vertebrate species common to the area that can use a type of land cover for breeding; weighted by how important the habitat is to the survival of each species.

  • Biodiversity
  • National

• Sea ice in Canada

  The Sea ice in Canada indicator provides information on the area of sea in Canada covered by ice during the summer season. The indicator covers the Northern Canadian Waters, by sub-region and the Northwest Passage. The indicator presents trends in total sea ice area and multi-year sea ice area. Multi-year sea ice is defined as sea ice that has survived at least one summer's melt.

  • Biodiversity
    Climate
  • Regional / National
    Interactive figure

• Eelgrass in Canada

  This indicator shows compiled information on the distribution of eelgrass sites in Canada, including historical observations. It provides a snapshot of the locations where eelgrass has been studied in Canada. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a common seagrass species that plays an important role in coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National

• Restoring the Great Lakes Areas of Concern

  This indicator assesses progress towards the restoration of Canada's 12 Areas of Concern and the 5 Areas of Concern shared with the United States. An Area of Concern is a region in the Great Lakes that has experienced a high level of environmental damage from human activity. There are 14 beneficial uses that are considered in order to decide whether an area should be classified as an Area of Concern.

  • Biodiversity
    Water
    Waste and contaminants
  • Regional

• Land-use change

  This indicator measures the amount of land-use change from the baseline year 2010. It reports the proportion of agricultural land that has been converted to settlement and the amount of forest that has been converted to agricultural land or settlements in Canada south of 60° North.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National

• Forest management and disturbances

  The Forest management and disturbances indicator presents a series of measures that provide an overall picture of the state of forests in Canada. This indicator measures timber harvest compared to the sustainable wood supply, forest disturbances from fires, insects and deforestation, as well as forest regeneration.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National

• Status of key fish stocks

  This indicator reports the status of key fish stocks. Federal scientists use a variety of scientific methods to assess fish stock levels and assign them a stock status zone (Healthy, Cautious or Critical) by comparing the size of the stocks to reference points. If there is insufficient information to determine the stock status zone, the status is uncertain. Stock status is an important element of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's precautionary approach.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National

• Harvest levels of key fish stocks

  This indicator compares fish harvest rates with established harvest limits. These limits are based on scientific information, providing a direct measure of whether we are managing the use of these resources within ecosystem limits. It is one measure of fishing pressure on wild fish stocks.

  • Biodiversity
  • Regional / National

• Greenhouse gas emissions

  This indicator shows trends in anthropogenic (human-made) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions are presented at the national level (total emissions, emissions per person and emissions per unit of gross domestic product), by economic sector and at the provincial/territorial level.

  • Climate
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map / figure

• Greenhouse gas emissions from large facilities

  This indicator reports total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the largest GHG emitting facilities in Canada. GHG releases and their increasing concentrations in the atmosphere are leading to a changing climate. This change has an impact on the environment, human health and the economy.

  • Climate
  • National
    Interactive map

• Greenhouse gas emissions projections

  This indicator provides an overview of Canada's projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To estimate future GHG emissions, Canada develops GHG projections on an annual basis, using the most up-to-date assumptions of the key drivers that influence Canada's emissions. This indicator uses the latest GHG emissions projections to present the forecasted progress toward Canada's 2030 and 2035 targets.

  • Climate
  • National

• Greenhouse gas concentrations

  This indicator shows the trends in concentrations for 2 greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Concentrations are presented on monthly and annual bases for Canada. The indicator also includes the global annual average concentrations.

  • Climate
  • National / International

• Global greenhouse gas emissions

  This indicator reports global human emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) from 1990 to the most recent year available, as well as emissions by country for the top 10 emitting countries and regions and Canada for 2005 and the latest year available. Total and per capita emissions are presented. Emissions from energy and non-energy related sources are included in this indicator, while emissions from land use, land use change, and forestry are excluded.

  • Climate
  • National / International

• Land-based greenhouse gas emissions and removals

  The Land-based greenhouse gas emissions and removals indicator tracks exchanges of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals between the atmosphere and Canada's managed lands. Reported GHG emissions and removals are annual totals from land use and land-use change activities (forest sector, agricultural land, wetlands, and settlements) and natural disturbances, such as insect infestations and wildfires.

  • Climate
  • Regional / National

• Greenhouse gas emissions from a consumption perspective

  The Greenhouse gas emissions from a consumption perspective indicator provides a view of the impact of Canada's consumption of goods and services, regardless of where they are produced, on the levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the atmosphere. It accounts for GHG emissions associated with products and services consumed in Canada and produced either domestically or abroad. The indicator also compares Canada's production- and consumption-based GHG emissions with a selection of other countries/regions.

  • Climate
  • National / International

• Precipitation change in Canada

  The Precipitation change in Canada indicator measures the annual and seasonal precipitation departures (or anomalies) for the years 1948 to the latest year available. The indicator is calculated using data from weather stations across Canada with sufficiently long data records to allow for a meaningful trend calculation. Total precipitation includes the combination of rainfall and snowfall.

  • Climate
  • Regional / National

• Temperature change in Canada

  The Temperature change in Canada indicator shows the yearly and seasonal surface air temperature departures for the years 1948 to the latest year available. As well, it presents a spatial distribution of surface air temperature departures for the most recent year and trends in temperature since 1948. An annual departure (or anomaly) is the difference between the value for a given year and a baseline value.

  • Climate
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map

• Snow cover

  This indicator illustrates independent elements of terrestrial snow over Canada and how it is changing over time. The indicator includes spring snow cover extent, annual snow cover duration and March snow water equivalent. Snow cover extent is presented for the spring months of April, May and June. The Snow cover duration indicator shows the spatial pattern of annual (July to June) snow cover duration departure relative to the 1999 to 2018 average, as well as the trend from 1999 to the most recent year available. Snow water equivalent is expressed in the percent departure from the 1991 to 2020 average, as well as the trend from 1981 to the most recent year available.

  • Climate
  • Regional / National

• Extreme heat events

  This indicator reports the percentage of stations with trends in the cumulative number of days per year under extreme heat conditions and the daytime and overnight intensity (number of degrees above the extreme heat threshold).

  • Climate
  • Regional / National

• Water quality in Canadian rivers

  This indicator provides a measure of the ability of river water across Canada to support plants and animals. At each monitoring site, specific water quality data are compared to water quality guidelines to create a rating for the site. If measured water quality remains within the guidelines, we assume that it can maintain a healthy ecosystem.

  • Water
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map / figure

• Water quantity in Canadian rivers

  This indicator provides a national summary of the annual water quantity status in rivers across Canada starting in 2001 and by monitoring station in the most recent year available. The indicator also offers trends that provide an assessment of whether there have been significant observed changes over time in water quantity, of very-high and very-low flows, at monitoring stations across Canada from 1970 to the most recent year available.

  • Water
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map

• Shellfish harvest area water quality

  This indicator reports the proportion of shellfish harvest areas that have their water quality classified as approved or conditionally approved as a coarse measure of marine coastal water quality. Water classification recommendations are made based on bacterial levels measured in water samples and pollution concerns identified through shoreline surveys.

  • Water
  • Regional / National

• Phosphorus levels in the offshore waters of the Great Lakes

  This indicator reports total phosphorus levels in the offshore waters of the 4 Canadian Great Lakes. The indicator assumes water in the Great Lakes would never be above phosphorus water quality objectives in the absence of human development. It provides insight on how human activity contributes to phosphorus levels in lakes.

  • Water
  • Regional

• Nutrients in the St. Lawrence River

  This indicator reports on the status of total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations along the St. Lawrence River. It ranks the status based on how often total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations exceed their respective water quality guidelines. It provides information about how human activity contributes to phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in the river.

  • Water
  • Regional

• Phosphorus loading to Lake Erie

  This indicator reports on the total phosphorus loads flowing directly into Lake Erie or from its tributary rivers and includes loads from atmospheric deposition, point sources (for example, wastewater treatment plants), non-point sources (primarily from agriculture runoff), and Lake Huron. In the absence of human development, natural background levels of phosphorus loading are relatively low.

  • Water
  • Regional

• Reductions in phosphorus loads to Lake Winnipeg

  The Reductions in phosphorus loads to Lake Winnipeg indicator shows the estimated extent to which projects funded by the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund (from April to March 2017) and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (April 2017 to March 2023) have reduced the amount of phosphorus reaching the lake from its watershed.

  • Water
  • Regional

• Releases of harmful substances to water

  This indicator tracks facility-based releases to water of 3 substances that are defined as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999: mercury, lead and cadmium and their compounds. For each substance, data are provided at the national, regional (provincial and territorial) and facility level, as well as by source.

  • Water
    Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National
    Interactive map / figure

• Nutrients in Lake Winnipeg

  This indicator reports on the status of total phosphorus and total nitrogen levels in Lake Winnipeg and its 3 largest tributaries: the Red, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg rivers. In rivers, phosphorus and nitrogen status is determined by the frequency with which a water quality objective is exceeded. The more often the criteria or objective is exceeded, the greater the risk to the health of the river ecosystems.

  • Water
  • Regional

• Marine oil spills

  This indicator presents the number and location of oil spills across Canada’s marine environments observed by the National Aerial Surveillance Program and oil spills impacting the marine environment that have been reported to the National Environmental Emergencies Centre. Oil spills to the marine environment can have adverse and long-lasting effects on wildlife, habitats, local communities, and the economy.

  • Water
    Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National

• Boil water advisories

  The Boil water advisories indicator provides an overview of the main reasons why boil water advisories are issued, namely due to the detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli); as a precaution, due to other microbiological parameters; or as a precaution, due to equipment and process-related issues. It also reports on the relationship between community size and the percentage of boil water advisories issued each year.

  • Water
  • National

• Water use in Canada

  The Water use indicator provides information about the volumes and proportions of water that are withdrawn, consumed and returned at the national and regional levels. It reports the volume of water withdrawn between 2005 and the most recent year available for 7 of Canada's key economic sectors: thermal power generation, manufacturing, residential, commercial and institutional, irrigation (agriculture), mining, and oil and gas. The regional indicator reports the volume withdrawn by sector, and the proportions of water returned by the largest water users for each region in the most recent year available, as well as their variation over time since 2011.

  • Water
  • Regional / National

• Solid waste diversion and disposal

  This indicator reports on the total quantity and the quantity per person of non-hazardous solid waste diverted and disposed by municipal governments and businesses in the waste management industry. The waste diversion rate by source (residential and non-residential) and the types of materials diverted are also reported.

  • Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National

• Plastic particles in the northern fulmar

  This indicator provides information on the mass of plastic found in the northern fulmars' stomach in birds collected in Canada. The northern fulmar is a seabird that feeds exclusively on the surface (top 1 metre) in the open ocean. The indicator reports the proportion of birds with 0.1 g or more of plastic in their stomachs and gives an overview of the situation at the national and the regional levels.

  • Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National

• Human exposure to harmful substances

  This indicator presents the concentrations of 4 substances (mercury, lead, cadmium and bisphenol A) in the Canadian population for the 6 survey cycles starting in 2007 to the most recent data available, based on data collected as part of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. These substances were chosen because they complement other indicators from the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators program. For each substance, the concentration in blood or urine is provided by age group and by sex when data are available.

  • Waste and contaminants
  • National

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish and sediment

  This indicator identifies the drainage regions where concentrations are below or above the Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (the guidelines) for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish and sediment. The guidelines were developed under the Chemicals Management Plan and are used in this indicator to evaluate whether, and the degree to which, concentrations in the environment exceed the guidelines.

  • Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National

• Bisphenol A in water and sediment

  This indicator provides an overview of the status of drainage regions against the Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (the guidelines) for bisphenol A (BPA) concentration in surface water and sediment. The guidelines were developed under the Chemicals Management Plan and are used in this indicator to evaluate whether, and the degree to which, concentrations in the environment exceed the guidelines.

  • Waste and contaminants
  • Regional

• Perfluorooctane sulfonate in fish and water

  This indicator identifies the drainage regions where concentrations are below or above the Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (the guidelines) for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in fish and water. The guidelines were developed under the Chemicals Management Plan and are used in this report to evaluate whether, and the degree to which, concentrations in the environment exceed the guidelines.

  • Waste and contaminants
  • Regional

• Risk to soil and water quality from agriculture

  This indicator is comprised of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC's) Soil and Water Quality Agri-Environmental Performance Indices which aggregate multiple indicators related to soil and water quality. They are derived from models and formula that integrate data for soil, climate and landscape with data about crops, land use and land management. Calculated for agricultural land in Canada, the indicators use a 5-class rating system, which ranges from very low to very high risk.

  • Water
    Waste and contaminants
  • National

• Municipal wastewater treatment

  This indicator measures the level of wastewater treatment provided to the Canadian population and track the compliance of the treated water discharged with the national effluent quality standards. Higher treatment levels of wastewater reduce the risk of raw wastewater pollutants entering the environment, where they pose risks to human health and the environment.

  • Water
    Waste and contaminants
  • Regional / National / International