Transport Canada has been aware of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, since the 1980s, according to documents obtained through an access-to-information request. PFAS, a group of thousands of chemicals, have been associated with various health issues, including cancer, hypertension, liver disease, and diabetes.
For years, Transport Canada, alongside the Department of National Defence (DND) and the National Research Council of Canada, conducted firefighter training using aqueous film-forming foams containing PFAS at airports nationwide. Although these foams were effective in combating jet fuel fires, they led to groundwater contamination with PFAS at multiple sites.
A class-action lawsuit led by Alex Templeton from McInnes Cooper law firm in St. John’s addresses the contamination of drinking water wells near airports in Newfoundland. The lawsuit’s primary plaintiffs, Eddie and Susan Sheerr, had their wells tested and found to exceed Health Canada’s recommended PFAS limit of 30 nanograms per liter.
Transport Canada’s management of firefighter training exercises near Torbay and Logy Bay–Middle Cove–Outer Cove airports in Newfoundland resulted in contaminated wells. Documents obtained by Templeton revealed concerns dating back to 1984 regarding the toxicity of effluent from these training sites.
Surfactants, now known as PFAS, were identified as major sources of pollution in the effluent. Despite Transport Canada implementing effluent containment standards in 1979, concerns were raised in a 1990 report about outdated standards and the lack of measures to address winter conditions’ impact on effluent runoff.
Transport Canada defended its past actions, stating that firefighting activities were conducted following environmental practices at that time and they were unaware of PFAS contamination risks. However, Templeton countered this response with evidence from the obtained reports indicating Transport Canada’s awareness of environmental impacts from as early as 1984.
The reports have also sparked concerns in North Bay, where efforts are underway to clean up PFAS contamination and restore the city’s drinking water. A proposed class-action lawsuit by Mann Lawyers addresses PFAS contamination issues in North Bay, with allegations that DND was aware of groundwater contamination exceeding health guidelines.
Residents like Liza Vandermeer in North Bay are questioning the lack of follow-up actions and communication between Transport Canada and National Defence regarding PFAS contamination identified as early as 1984. The ongoing investigations and legal actions highlight the long-standing environmental concerns associated with PFAS contamination in Canada.