Transport Canada has had concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, since the 1980s, as revealed in documents obtained through an access-to-information request. PFAS is a group of thousands of chemicals associated with various health risks such as liver and prostate cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and lipid function disruption leading to conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
For years, Transport Canada, along with the Department of National Defence (DND) and the National Research Council of Canada, conducted firefighter training exercises using aqueous film-forming foams containing PFAS at airports nationwide. While these foams were effective in combating jet fuel fires, their widespread use resulted in PFAS contamination of groundwater at numerous sites.
A class-action lawsuit led by Alex Templeton, a partner at the McInnes Cooper law firm, has been initiated concerning the contamination of drinking water wells near several airports in Newfoundland. The lawsuit, spearheaded by homeowners Eddie and Susan Sheerr, aims to address the elevated PFAS levels exceeding Health Canada’s guidelines in their wells.
Transport Canada’s management of firefighter training exercises near Torbay and Logy Bay–Middle Cove–Outer Cove in Newfoundland led to the discovery of contaminated wells. Documents obtained by Templeton highlighted concerns dating back to 1984 regarding the high toxicity of effluents produced during these exercises, particularly surfactants identified as a significant pollution source.
Despite implementing effluent containment standards in 1979, Transport Canada’s outdated regulations failed to address environmental concerns, particularly during winter conditions. A 1990 report indicated that a significant number of sites across Canada did not comply with the 1979 standards, prompting questions about the disposal and treatment of firefighting foam effluents.
Transport Canada defended its past practices, stating that firefighting activities were conducted in accordance with existing environmental policies and practices at the time. The agency emphasized that PFAS contamination was not known during the period in question, contrary to the concerns raised in the 1984 and 1990 reports.
The reports have raised fresh concerns in North Bay, where efforts are underway to remediate PFAS contamination at an airport site and in the municipal drinking water. The proposed class-action lawsuit filed by Mann Lawyers highlights DND’s awareness of elevated PFAS levels near the airport and the need for improved communication between government agencies to address such environmental issues.
Residents in affected areas like North Bay have expressed dismay over the delayed response to PFAS contamination, calling for better collaboration and proactive measures to safeguard public health and the environment.
