Alarming Levels of Air Pollution Identified Across Alberta : CAAQS

The results of a new national air quality survey released Wednesday shows levels of fine particulate pollution and ozone exposure in Red Deer, Alta., exceed safe standards. And four of the province’s six air zones, including the Upper and Lower Athabasca and North and South Saskatchewan, all home to major oil and gas projects, are fast approaching those limits, according to the province.

Nancy Hackett, who heads up environmental initiatives for the city, says they have been trying to improve the situation.

“I think what the report does is tell us something that we needed to know,” she said.

“It’s information that we need to be aware of to protect our community and protect our quality of life here. So I think it’s very important information that city residents and regional residents need to be aware of so that we can make changes and we can protect our air quality.”

Hackett says Red Deer has expanded public transit options, and encourages people to use bikes and other forms of transportation.

‘Action plan’ being developed

She also said 30 per cent of the energy the city buys is green.

The province said it will initiate an “action plan” to deal with poor air quality in the Red Deer area, a move Phillips said is required under the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards are national standards for particulate matter and ozone exposure. This is the first year of annual reporting by all provinces and territories.

Reg Warkentin, policy co-ordinator for the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce, questions the government’s motives in releasing the information.

“I think it is kind of creating a shock where there doesn’t really need to be one,” he said.

“When you look at the data, I think that we see it isn’t exactly every day that we have really bad air — it’s, you know, every so often under just the right conditions.”

Warkentin says the chamber looks forward to upcoming consultations between the city and the province.

Agencies/Canadajournal