Ktunaxa and Sinixt Territory / Nelson, B.C. – As British Columbia faces yet another summer of smoky skies and air quality alerts, the BC Green Party is calling for urgent action to protect the health of British Columbians from the escalating threat of wildfire smoke.

“Every British Columbian deserves to breathe clean air,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens. “Air quality is essential for our health and well-being. Poor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems and cognitive impairments, which can affect our daily performance and quality of life”.

Wildfire smoke, exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought and extreme heat due to climate change, has become a common feature of summers in B.C. This year, many communities across the province are grappling with smoky skies and air quality alerts. The BC Greens emphasize that there is no safe level of wildfire smoke exposure, and even low concentrations can pose significant health risks.

Nicole Charlwood, BC. Greens MLA candidate for Kootenay Central echoed these concerns, stating, “The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires are a direct consequence of climate change and poor forestry practices. We must take decisive action to protect our communities and ensure that everyone has access to clean air, especially during wildfire events.”

To address these challenges, the BC Greens propose immediate adoption of the Clean Air Act, which the BC Green Caucus introduced in April. It aims to protect the health of British Columbians by:

• Monitoring and regulating air quality in both indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in places frequented by vulnerable groups such as children, students, and the elderly.
• Investing in clean air centers across the province, prioritizing communities with the highest susceptibility, including pregnant individuals, older community members, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
• Providing funding for portable air cleaners with HEPA filters to ensure clean air in homes during wildfire smoke events.
• Retrofitting existing buildings such as assisted care facilities, child care centers, and schools with air filters and mandating that new buildings meet safe air filtration and air conditioning standards.
• Expanding investments in fuel management and supporting prescribed and cultural burning to reduce wildfire intensity.

“We need the provincial government to take air quality and the impacts of air pollution seriously,” Furstenau added. “This legislation is an important step towards protecting the health of British Columbians and ensuring that our communities are prepared and equipped during wildfire smoke events.”

The proposed measures will require an initial investment of $125 million in the first year and $65 million on an ongoing basis, covering the costs of operating clean air centers, supplying in-home HVAC filters, and retrofitting buildings.

The BC Greens believe that these investments are crucial for the long-term health and safety of British Columbians. As wildfire seasons become more severe, it is imperative to prioritize clean air and take proactive steps to mitigate the impacts of air pollution.

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Backgrounder:

• In March 2023, NDP MPPs in Ontario tabled a Private Member’s Bill to create indoor clean air standards. This bill would convene an Advisory Committee on clean air that would advise the government on ventilation, filtration, and other methods to reduce airborne transmission of diseases.
• In April 2023, a motion to debate the importance of indoor air standards was led by a Liberal MLA from New Brunswick. The motion included creating a plan to monitor, report, and improve air quality systems to mitigate the risks of airborne illnesses.
• Outdoor air is regulated by the provincial government through the Environmental Management Act and the Waste Discharge Regulation. The provincial government has the authority to set outdoor air quality standards and guidelines, and municipal and regional governments have the authority to create bylaws for outdoor air. Indoor air quality, however, is largely unregulated.
• According to Health Canada, indoor air pollution can be up to five times worse than outdoor air pollution. Vancouver Coastal Health estimates that air pollution costs BC at minimum $14 billion in health costs every year.

Key components of the Clean Air Act:

• Indoor air quality monitoring: Operators of designated settings, including educational institutions and healthcare facilities, are required to install and maintain carbon dioxide monitors to continuously assess the air quality. This proactive measure ensures that any potential air quality issues can be addressed swiftly to protect public health.
• Development of a clean air plan: The Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive Clean Air Plan to establish stringent standards for indoor air quality. This plan will outline necessary actions for assessing and improving air conditions and detail the steps to be taken should air quality not meet the set standards.
• Enhanced outdoor air quality standards for workplaces: New regulations will be introduced to manage air quality in outdoor work environments, particularly in response to wildfire smoke events. These regulations will focus on reducing health risks associated with poor air quality, including specifying exposure limits and required protective measures when necessary.
• Integration with existing health regulations: The Clean Air Act will align with the Public Health Act to ensure that the new standards are enforceable, with clear implications for non-compliance.
• WorkSafeBC’s role in enforcement: WorkSafeBC will be responsible for establishing workplace standards for outdoor work in relation to outdoor air quality. WorkSafeBC will be required to consult with employers and health authorities when making regulations.

Media contact: 

Rippon Madtha (he/him)
Communications Manager
rippon.madtha@bcgreens.ca
Phone: +1 778-650-0597