Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada takes the presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) seriously.
- We have taken steps to assess and manage PFAS that have been identified in the vicinity of several Canadian airports where firefighting foams were historically used for training and emergency response purposes.
- We understand the concerns raised by the plaintiffs and are treating them with due seriousness.
- For that reason, Transport Canada is engaging in this matter in good faith and through the appropriate legal channels.
- The department remains committed to listening to affected communities. At the same time, out of respect for the judicial process, Transport Canada will not comment further and will address these issues before the courts.
If Pressed on Individual Sites
- Where PFAS levels exceed Health Canada’s drinking water objective, Transport Canada provides potable water and explores appropriate longer-term solutions on a case-by-case basis.
If Pressed on Contamination in Torbay
- Canada’s Statement of Defence and third-party claims have been filed and are now a matter of public record. Interested parties can request a copy of these documents from the Court.
Background Information
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are part of a human-made chemical group which have been used widely in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including in certain firefighting foams. PFAS may have been used in fire training exercises as part of emergency response programs at several of Canada’s airports. During the period that firefighting foam containing PFAS was used, the environmental risks were unknown.
Since the mid-1990s, Transport Canada (TC) has moved away from a role as the owner and operator of Canada’s airports. Most airports have been transferred outright to new owners. TC has retained ownership of the largest airports, but has transferred responsibility for operating them to private not-for-profit Airport Authorities through long-term ground leases. TC therefore no longer has responsibility for the operation of most airports where PFAS may have been used as part of firefighting training.
In December 2023, TC proactively implemented the use of Health Canada’s proposed drinking water objective for PFAS, which aims to reduce potential exposure. The PFAS Objective was finalized in August 2024 and will inform future drinking water guidelines to be put into place by Provinces and Territories. TC has acted in anticipation of these future drinking water guidelines and has expanded ongoing investigations. Where water testing indicates exceedances of the PFAS Objective, TC is proactively offering bottled water. TC is also investigating longer-term solutions to provide potable water to impacted residents.
TC is leading on-site investigations at TC-owned and operated and National Airports System airports to determine the nature and extent of PFAS contamination. Investigations are in various stages of completion at most of these airports. Should human health or environmental risks be identified from the risk assessment at these airports, TC, as landowner, will take the necessary measures to minimize the risk or carry out the necessary remedial work. TC will develop a management plan where required. This may include restricting access or land use activities, or ongoing monitoring and assessment.
Bottled water is currently being provided to properties in eight communities. To protect the privacy of individual residents, TC cannot disclose any specific water sampling results.
For the transferred airports, TC completed testing for PFAS at the property boundary of 27 airports. TC has acted on a case-by-case basis where drinking water wells were found immediately adjacent to the airport property boundary.
Where responsibility for the contamination is accepted by the department, TC’s PFAS sites are identified on the public Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory.