Findings

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Air quality

The air quality indicators track measures of the exposure of Canadians to ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) during the warm season (April 1 to September 30).

• Nationally, the ozone exposure indicator increased an average of 0.8% per year from 1990 to 2005. This resulted in an overall increase of approximately 12% for this time period.¹ In 2005, ozone concentrations were highest at stations in southern Ontario; southern Quebec and Alberta also had many stations with high concentrations.

• Between 1990 and 2005, the ozone exposure indicator increased only in two regions—in southern Ontario by approximately 17%² and in southern Quebec by approximately 15%³. In other regions, the ozone exposure indicator showed no statistically significant increasing or decreasing trends.

• The PM_2.5 exposure indicator showed no statistically significant increasing or decreasing trends, either nationally or regionally between 2000 and 2005. The highest PM_2.5 concentrations were measured at stations in southern Ontario and southern Quebec in 2005.

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Greenhouse gas emissions

• In 2005, Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 747 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, up 25% from 1990.

• Canada’s 2005 emissions were 33% above the Kyoto Protocol target of 563 megatonnes, which is 6% below the 1990 baseline level. 

• Recently (2003–2005), the growth in emissions has slowed, due primarily to a significant reduction in emissions from electricity production (reduced coal and increased hydro and nuclear generation), coupled with reduced demand for heating fuels due to warm winters and a reduced rate of increase in fossil fuel production.

• Overall, energy production and consumption contributed about 82% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. From 1990 to 2005, these emissions rose by 29%, accounting for 90% of the growth in Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions over the 16-year period. 

• The amount of greenhouse gases emitted per unit of economic activity was 17.8% lower in 2005 than in 1990. Increases in overall economic activity, however, resulted in increases in total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

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Freshwater quality

This indicator, as a water quality index based on many chemical and physical parameters, assesses surface freshwater quality with respect to protecting aquatic life (e.g., fish, invertebrates and plants). It does not assess the quality of water for human consumption and use. The data available are not sufficient to report national trends for the indicator at this time. The indicator is based on information gathered from 2003 to 2005.

• Freshwater quality for the 359 monitoring sites in southern Canada was rated as “good” or “excellent” at 44% of the sites, “fair” at 33% and “marginal” or “poor” at 23%.

• Freshwater quality measured at 36 monitoring sites in northern Canada was rated as “good” or “excellent” at 56% of the sites, “fair” at 31% and “marginal” or “poor” at 14%.

• Phosphorus, a nutrient mainly derived from human activities and a key driver of the water quality index, is a major concern for surface freshwater quality in Canada. Phosphorus levels in southern Canada exceeded limits set under the water quality guidelines for aquatic life over half the time at 127 of 344 monitoring sites.

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Notes

1. Plus or minus 10 percentage points, resulting in an increase ranging from 2% to 22% at a 90% confidence level.
2. Plus or minus 13 percentage points, resulting in an increase ranging from 4% to 30% at a 90% confidence level.
3. Plus or minus 12 percentage points, resulting in an increase ranging from 3% to 27% at a 90% confidence level.