Air Quality Index (AQI) in Canada 🇨🇦

Live Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 Levels in Canada

Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is measured at a score of 6. According to the US EPA health standard, this air quality rating is categorized as Good. The current atmosphere in Ottawa is influenced by a PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) concentration of 1.1 µg/m³ and PM10 levels recorded at 1.1 µg/m³. Monitoring of gaseous pollutants shows Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at 1.7 µg/m³.

Beyond the primary urban hubs, atmospheric conditions and smog levels fluctuate across Canada based on industrial output, traffic density, and local weather patterns. Real-time pollution data and respiratory health alerts are also being actively monitored in cities like Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Tracking these air quality metrics is essential for residents nationwide to manage outdoor exposure and maintain respiratory safety during periods of increased particulate concentration.

Air Quality Snapshot: Canada Right Now

Across 58 monitored cities in Canada, live air quality currently ranges from a low of 6 AQI in Ottawa (the cleanest air right now) to a high of 133 AQI in Okanagan (the most polluted). By US EPA health band, the nationwide distribution stands at 43 Good, 14 Moderate, 1 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The average fine-particulate (PM2.5) concentration across these cities is 10.0 µg/m³ — approximately 2.0 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Canada Air Quality: Major Cities Index

Pollution Monitor & AQI Forecast: Canada Regions

* Air Quality Index (AQI) data for Canada is calculated using the US EPA standard. Information is processed from multiple monitoring stations detecting PM2.5, PM10, and gaseous pollutants to ensure accuracy for respiratory health planning.

What Today's Readings Mean in Canada

The median reading across 58 monitored cities is 29.0 AQI. The national spread is 127 points, from 6 in Ottawa to 133 in Okanagan. Average PM2.5 is 10.0 µg/m³ (2.0× the WHO annual guideline).

At least one monitored location is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion in the affected city.

See the complete AQI and pollutant reference scales

Health & Scientific Resources

→ How to read US EPA Air Quality Index before going outside → Understanding Air Quality Index levels and what they mean → When haze forms and what it does to air quality

Air Quality in Canada — FAQ

Common questions about AQI levels, pollutants, and data sources for Canada.

What is the current air quality in Canada?

Live AQI readings for 58 city(ies) across Canada are listed above on the US EPA 0-500 scale.

Where does Canada's AQI data come from?

Real-time readings come from ground-based monitoring stations operated by national environmental agencies in Canada, delivered via WeatherAPI.com and aggregated using the EPA AQI formula.

What is a healthy AQI value in Canada?

On the EPA scale used worldwide, 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and 301-500 is Hazardous. The WHO 24-hour PM2.5 guideline is 15 μg/m³.

Why do AQI readings vary between cities in Canada?

Air quality is highly local — major pollution sources (traffic, industry, dust, wildfires) cluster around cities, while wind direction and topography move them around. Comparing nearby readings on this page is the best way to see how conditions change across Canada.