Noise and sound: Noise management in Canada

There are different noise laws, standards and guidelines across the country. Find information to help you decide who to contact regarding noise in your environment.

On this page

• Noise in communities
• Noise and environmental impact assessments
• Noise from transportation
• Noise from products and devices
• Noise in your workplace
• Health Canada's role

Noise in communities

Most municipalities have noise by-laws to help protect you from noise from:

• cinemas
• concerts
• festivals
• theatres
• road traffic
• construction
• neighbourhood noise
• city equipment operation
• recreational buildings and spaces

Contact your city or township if you have concerns or would like information about the noise by-laws in your neighbourhood.

Noise and environmental impact assessments

Some provinces and territories have environmental noise laws that set limits on noise levels from:

• natural resources industries
• energy sectors, such as oil and gas industries

Check with your province or territorial government to find out what laws apply in your area.

Health Canada developed a guidance document for evaluating the health impacts of noise for proposed major federal resource and infrastructure projects such as:

• dams
• mines
• pipelines

Noise from transportation

Transport Canada governs noise and vibration requirements for inter-provincial and international commercial transportation vehicles such as:

• rail
• aircraft
• motor vehicles
• shipping vessels

Learn more

• Managing noise from aircraft
• Discharge, noise, light and concerns for marine life from anchored vessels
• Motor vehicle safety regulations

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is leading the Ocean Noise Strategy to help mitigate the impacts of ocean noise caused by human activities.

Noise from products and devices

Health Canada uses laws and regulations to protect your hearing from consumer products that are unsafe for you or your child. If you suspect a toy or consumer product is too loud, you can report it to Health Canada.

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
• Toys Regulations section 19

Noise in your workplace

Provinces and territories have rules governing noise in the workplace. Consult with your workplace occupational health and safety representative or your provincial or territorial government for more information about noise in your workplace.

Federally regulated employers and employees can contact the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety for information on noise and hearing protection in the workplace.

Health Canada's role

Health Canada:

• researches the effects of sound on health
• participates in the World Health Organization's Make Listening Safe Initiative
• provides information to help prevent hearing loss from exposure to loud sounds at work, at home and at play
• administers laws and regulations to protect your hearing from sound emitting products that are imported and sold in Canada