(Yellowknife) Canada’s environmental ministers have approved stricter air quality standards for fine particles, while recognizing the difficulties caused by forest fires that can bury the country under smoke opinions.
The environmental ministers of the provinces, territories and the federal government met in Yellowknife for the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Environmental Ministers.
In a joint press release published on Friday, they claim that forest fires are one of the main atmospheric pollution factors, which can affect the health of Canadians.
They claim that by approving Canadian standards of ambient air quality updated for fine particles, they “support measures that will continue to improve air quality in Canada”.
Standards measure the quantity of a pollutant given in external air and, although they are not legally restrictive, the ministers qualify them as key elements of air quality management.
The Council’s website presents the updated standards for fine particles, which will be set at 23 micrograms per cubic meter in 24 hours by 2030, a drop compared to 2020 standards, which were 27 micrograms per cubic meter.
Photo Martin Chamberland, La Presse Archives
The joint declaration presents updated standards for the fine particles present in the air.
The declaration indicates that the standards have been drawn up by federal, provincial and territorial governments in collaboration with industry representatives, environmental groups, indigenous groups and non -governmental health organizations.
The Minister of the Environment of the North West Territories, Jay Macdonald, who welcomed the meeting, mentioned at a press conference that new standards will help all administrations better protect communities against the growing effects of poor air quality on health.
He added that climate change increases the risk of forest fires.
“Rigorous national standards, based on scientific data, help us prepare us to meet these challenges and support long-term health and resilience,” he said.
The meeting of the council next year will take place in Alberta.
By Ashley Joannou in Vancouver
