Poor air quality in Montreal from Quebec wildfires forces event cancellations - Action News
Home WebMail Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 04:37 AM | Calgary | -1.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Montreal

Poor air quality in Montreal from Quebec wildfires forces event cancellations

Montreal had some of the most polluted air in the world Sunday, according to IQAir, a Swiss technology company that monitors air quality.

Laval transit offering $1 fares in effort to reduce pollution from vehicles

Montreal skyline in the background covered by a haze of smoke. Two people in the forefront are exercising outdoors.
City of Montreal officials suggest people stay indoors where possible as city's air quality is ranked poorest in the world by IQAir. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

The haze of smog envelopingMontreal has forced several sports organizations tocancel their events in the citySunday.

Environment Canada reported that the air quality health index (AQHI) for Montreal is 10+, which corresponds to a "very high risk" level. It's expected to go down to fiveon Monday,which corresponds to a "moderate risk" level.

According to IQAir a Swiss technology company that monitors air quality Montreal had the most polluted air among dozens of major cities included in its rankings as of 4p.m. Sunday.

The city of Montreal said in a tweet Sunday afternoon that outdoor sport facilities,including pools and wading pools, will be closed until noon Monday. Outdoor cultural activities will also be cancelled. It saysmunicipal day camps will remain openbut will prioritize indoor activities.

Poor air quality has lead the Socitde transport de Laval (STL)to offer discounted fares in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and limit theimpact of trafficon air pollution.

For Sunday and Monday, transit goers can ride the busand taxibusfor $1, paid by cash, credit or debit. The initiativeis part of the STL's Smog Alert program launched in 2008.

Several events cancelled

Organizers ofPikniclectronikMontreal said in a Facebook post that they will be postponing theFte nationaleevent scheduled for 4 p.m. at Parc Jean-Drapeauto June 30 since the air quality today is"not up to par."

A handful of rugby competitionsthat wereset to take place Sunday in Beaconsfield, Laval and Quebec City as well asan Ironman triathlon in Mont-Tremblantwere cancelled Sunday morning.

World Triathlon initially tweeted thatthe mixed relay race in Montreal would be delayed, but organizers cancelled the event by 10:15 a.m.

WATCH | The effects of wildfire smog:

Why does the sun look red? Wildfire smog's effect explained

1 year ago
Duration 1:34
As forest fire smoke blankets southern Quebec, our perception of the sun can change.

Elite triathlete Emy Legault, who would have competed in the race, said it was in the "athletes' best interest" to wait until next year.

"The priority is always athletes'health, and I'm proud that we can stop the event when necessary so that athletes don't have health problems in the weeks and months to come," she said.

Lakeshore Soccer Club, in Kirkland, has also cancelled its activities for the day.

The city of Cte Saint-Luc has closed alloutdoor installations, including pools, tennis courtsand pedal boats.

WATCH | What's behind Quebec's 'unprecedented' forest fire season:

What's behind Quebec's 'unprecedented' forest fire season?

1 year ago
Duration 2:01
CBC's Steve Rukavina explains why so many fires are burning, many out of control, in the province this spring.

All Fte nationale festivities scheduled to take place at Alexandre-Bourgeau ParkinPointe-Clairehave also been cancelled.

Quebec's public health director Dr. Luc Boileau was not available for an interview Sunday when asked by Radio-Canada.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Health Ministrysaid people should stay indoors with their windows closed to minimize exposure to air pollution. They say residents can call Info Sant 811 for more information.

Corrections

  • This story has been updated to reflect the fact that not every city in the world is included in the rankings of the air quality monitoring website, IQAir.
    Jun 26, 2023 12:50 PM ET

With files from Radio-Canada's Sbastien Boucher