Message from the Minister of Health – Clean Air Day

June 7, 2023 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

The air we breathe is essential to our health and wellbeing and it is our responsibility to protect it. As the Minister of Health, I am acutely aware of the harmful impact that air pollution has on our health. Studies have shown that poor air quality can lead to a range of serious health problems, including respiratory issues, heart disease, and even a stroke.

As we are currently living through devastating wildfires across the country, we should all be aware that smoke from wildfires can be a serious source of air pollution. In addition to the damage caused by these events, the smoke created by them travels beyond the fire areas – impacting the health of people across the country.  In fact, over recent years, it has become more and more evident as climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of wildfires in Canada that the quality of clean air is not always a guarantee.

To help protect ourselves and our loved ones, there are certain actions we can take to limit our exposure to the harmful wildfire smoke, including:

• Pay attention to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) or other indicators of smoke levels in your community to help identify your level of risk and actions you can take to protect your health.
• Limit outdoor activity and strenuous physical activities as much as possible when the air quality is affected by smoke.
• Reduce sources of indoor air pollutants and protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke infiltration by keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible.
• Use a clean, good quality filter in your ventilation system, and consider using a portable air purifier to remove smoke from your home.
• Take care of your mental health during a wildfire smoke event. Anyone who is having trouble coping with symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression should seek help from a health professional.

Woodsmoke is also a significant source of air pollution in Canada, and small actions can help us limit this source. Choosing an alternative heating source if available, using low-emission wood stoves or fireplaces; and only burning dry wood in campfires and wood-burning appliances. When working in the yard use electric powered lawn and garden equipment and don’t burn yard waste or garbage. These actions can reduce pollution in our air and help us create healthier communities.

I am committed to working with my partners to fight climate change and ensure that we have the policies, programs, and resources in place to promote clean air and reduce air pollution across Canada. The Government has taken action to protect Canadians from the adverse effects of air pollution through regulations on emissions, creating national air quality standards, and providing the Air Quality Health Index forecasts for communities across Canada. I believe that by working together, we can make a real difference and ensure that future generations will be able to breathe clean, healthy air.

This Clean Air Day, I encourage everyone to learn more about how they can help protect their health from poor air quality and what they can do to limit their contribution to air pollution.

Let us all take action on Clean Air Day and beyond to ensure that we can all enjoy the benefits of clean air for years to come.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.