News Release

Canada's New Government Launches World's First Air Quality Health Index Program

TORONTO, July 9, 2007-The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today announced an investment of $30 million to establish the world's first National Air Quality Health Index and to expand the Air Quality Forecast Program to support this new initiative.

The announcement of the national program was made in Toronto where, along with Toronto Public Health, an 18 month Air Quality Health Index pilot was launched.  This pilot will serve as the model for the national program's development.

"We promised Canadians we would clean up the air we breathe and improve our health," said Minister Baird. "Our investment in this personal health protection tool will provide Canadians with current and forecasted local air quality information that they can use to take actions to reduce risks posed by air pollution." 

Canada's Air Quality Health Index, found at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca, is the world's first index to communicate the health risks associated with the mixture of air pollutants we breathe and to provide protective health advice to reduce that risk. 

"Canadians are concerned about air pollution and rightly so - air pollution has been linked to illness and death and particularly impacts our children, our elderly and people with heart and lung disease," said Minister Clement. "This Air Quality Health Index - the first of its kind in the world - will help Canadians protect their health from the adverse effects of air pollution every day."

This initiative is in keeping with the government's commitment to deliver real change and results to Canadians.  It also highlights the government's interest in working in partnership with other levels of government, including provincial, territorial and municipal to deliver innovative programs that make a real difference for Canadians.  With federal funding of $30 million over the next four years, the AQHI will be rolled out to mid- and large-sized communities across the country.  Municipal and provincial partnerships will be key to the program's success.

The Toronto pilot project builds on the successful pilots in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.  Over the coming years, Environment Canada will improve its air quality forecasting capacity across the country. The federal government will also continue to work with other governments and health and environmental organizations in the design and operation of the Index, recognizing that every level of government, every organization, and every individual has a role to play in improving air quality.

The Air Quality Health Index is the latest tool Canada's New Government has introduced to combat air pollution. In April, it launched Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution.  As part of these regulatory measures, will be the requirement that industry cut air pollution by 50% by 2015.

For more information about the Federal Government of Canada's environmental initiatives, please visit:  http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca

For more information on the AQHI Toronto Pilot, please visit: http://www.CAS-AQHI.gc.ca

Related Document:

• Fact Sheet

For more information, please contact:

Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Eric Waddell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Environment Canada Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008

Renée Bergeron
Media Relations
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988

Public enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866-225-0709