Transport Canada has been aware of the risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, since the 1980s, according to documents obtained through an access-to-information request. These chemicals, which belong to a large family, have been linked to various health issues such as cancer, hypertension, liver diseases, and diabetes.
For years, Transport Canada, along with the Department of National Defence (DND) and the National Research Council of Canada, conducted firefighter training exercises at airports using aqueous film-forming foams containing PFAS. While effective in fighting fires, the use of these foams led to groundwater contamination across airport sites in Canada.
Alex Templeton, a partner at McInnes Cooper law firm in St. John’s, is leading a class-action lawsuit on behalf of residents near airports in Newfoundland whose drinking water wells were contaminated with PFAS. The lead plaintiffs, Eddie and Susan Sheerr, had their wells tested by Transport Canada, revealing levels exceeding the recommended guidelines set by Health Canada.
Documents obtained by Templeton reveal that Transport Canada had concerns about the toxicity of effluent from firefighter training sites as far back as 1984. Surfactants, now known as PFAS, were identified as a major source of pollution in the effluent.
Despite implementing standards in 1979 to contain effluent, subsequent reports in 1990 raised concerns about outdated standards and their ineffectiveness in addressing environmental issues, particularly during winter conditions. Transport Canada responded, stating that at the time, firefighting activities were conducted in line with existing policies and practices.
The reports have sparked concerns in North Bay, where efforts are underway to clean up contamination from firefighting foams that made their way into groundwater and the municipal drinking water source. A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed over PFAS contamination in North Bay, alleging that DND was aware of the issue but failed to act promptly.
Residents, such as Liza Vandermeer, are questioning why there was a lack of communication between Transport Canada and National Defence regarding the known risks of PFAS contamination dating back to the 1980s.
