Environmental Equity Confronting Air Pollution
In several southern Quebec cities, the temperature was mild on the last weekend, but public health authorities urged residents to stay indoors due to poor air quality caused by wildfires[1]. The situation is part of an active and severe wildfire season in Canada, with over 160 wildfires across the country since mid-May[1].
The wildfires have significantly degraded air quality in Quebec and other affected areas, triggering air quality alerts and health warnings. Smoke from these fires has spread widely, affecting major Canadian cities and even reaching parts of the United States and Europe[1]. In Newfoundland, multiple out-of-control wildfires have led to states of emergency, evacuations, and destruction of homes and infrastructure, with firefighting resources deployed from Quebec and Ontario to assist[2][3].
The wildfire season is worsened by drought and climate conditions, which exacerbate fire intensity and prolong the fire season[4]. The 2025 wildfire season is on track to be one of the worst on record in terms of area burned and carbon emissions, raising calls for a coordinated national wildfire management response in Canada[5].
Meanwhile, air quality issues persist. According to the IQAir ranking, Toronto and Montreal were ranked 4th and 5th respectively among the most polluted cities in the world on Monday morning[6]. The editorial board of Le Devoir remains convinced of the importance of acting now to slow down environmental decline[2].
However, not all news is grim. Quebec and Montreal are expected to have cleaner air, according to Environment Canada[7]. The United States' intentions to stifle the debate on climate justice could have a negative impact on public opinion elsewhere in the world[8]. The space that the United States occupies in global conversation could be used to hinder discussions on climate justice, as evidenced by US President Donald Trump and his EPA lackey, Lee Zeldin, announcing a plan to roll back 16 years of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions[9].
Elsewhere in Canada, spring floods are becoming more frequent and destructive, causing millions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage[10]. Atlantic coastal communities see their shorelines eroded by rising waters, while Prairie farmers are facing prolonged droughts that threaten food security[11].
In Arthabaska-L'Érable, a by-election is taking place, with voters resorting to strategic voting to block the conservative leader[12]. In the midst of these challenges, the fight against climate change is far from over, and inaction is not an option, according to the editorial board of Le Devoir[2].
In a more light-hearted note, Ross Hamilton performed his character, Marjorie, at military shows near the front[13]. Despite the tough times, it's important to remember the power of entertainment and the human spirit.
References: 1. Source 1 2. Source 2 3. Source 3 4. Source 4 5. Source 5 6. Source 6 7. Source 7 8. Source 8 9. Source 9 10. Source 10 11. Source 11 12. Source 12 13. Source 13
The government has called for increased investment in scientific research to combat the worsening wildfire season and its effects on health-and-wellness, particularly air quality, which has been severely affected by the spreading wildfires. To mitigate the impacts of climate change on the environment, it is crucial for the government to collaborate with environmental scientists to develop sustainable solutions.
