Canadian air quality improved since 2006, disproving McKenna's climate change rhetoric: report

Canada's air quality has markedly improved since 2006, according to a report by the Department of Environment. The data contradicted claims by then-Environment Minister Catherine McKenna that worsening pollution was fatal.

"A majority of Canadians have clean air," said an Evaluation Of The Addressing Air Pollution Horizontal Initiative. The department said air quality varied from place to place but noted improvements overall.

"Canada has a low level of ambient air pollution compared to some regions of the world, and air quality in the country has generally improved over time," wrote the staff.

"Concentrations of the four key air pollutants for which Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards have been developed – nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, fine particulate matter and ozone – decreased between 2002 and 2016," said the report. "However ambient levels varied by pollutant and by region."

Sulphur dioxide emissions were down 63 percent over the period. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide were down 32 percent. Soot, dust and other "fine particulate matter" declined 35 percent.

"Reductions have been achieved," wrote the staff.

The report found that three-quarters of Canadians live in areas where air quality standards are achieved,” said the report. The rate was 60 percent in 2007.

The environment department spends $91 million a year monitoring and researching air quality. The report suggested long-term movements dating back decades may be affected by climate change.

"Climate change is expected to exacerbate both the prevalence and negative impacts of air pollution," it said.

"The increasing temperatures associated with climate change are projected to produce longer wildfire seasons, more severe weather and increased risk of drought." It adds that climate change affects both outdoor and indoor quality.

Then-Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, in 2018 testimony at the Commons environment committee, suggested air pollution was getting worse, not better. "I hope Canadians take my claims seriously because we do it, unlike the previous government, based on science, evidence and fact," testified McKenna.

"We know that pollution worldwide accounts for over one million deaths," she said. "That’s why doing things such as phasing out coal is so important. Let me clarify, it’s almost 800,000, closer to one million probably, worldwide, who die from pollution."

McKenna, in her last series of public appearances in July, before her retirement as Liberal MP (Ottawa Centre), reiterated that air quality was worsening.

"We need to reduce air pollution,” she said, "There is nothing more important."

McKenna urged Canadians to "move forward together” in combating climate change following the pandemic.