Transport Canada has had concerns regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as forever chemicals, since the 1980s, according to documents obtained through an access-to-information request. These chemicals, which fall under the PFAS family, have been associated with various health risks, including liver and prostate cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, fatty liver disease, and impacts on lipid function related to Type 2 diabetes.

Over the years, Transport Canada, alongside the Department of National Defence (DND) and the National Research Council of Canada, conducted firefighter training exercises at airports throughout Canada using aqueous film-forming foams containing PFAS. While effective in combating jet fuel fires, the use of these foams led to groundwater contamination with PFAS at various sites across the country.

Lawyer Alex Templeton, from the McInnes Cooper law firm in St. John’s, is spearheading a proposed class-action lawsuit concerning the contamination of drinking water wells near several airports in Newfoundland. The lead plaintiffs, Eddie and Susan Sheerr, had their wells tested by Transport Canada, revealing levels of PFAS exceeding the new drinking water guidelines set by Health Canada.

Transport Canada managed the firefighter training exercises near the towns of Torbay and Logy Bay–Middle Cove–Outer Cove in Newfoundland, where the contaminated wells were discovered. Documents obtained by Templeton through access-to-information requests included a 1984 report highlighting the high toxicity levels of effluent from the firefighter training sites.

Concerns were also raised in North Bay, where efforts are underway to clean up a site at the airport contaminated with PFAS, affecting the city’s drinking water. The contamination stemmed from firefighting foams seeping into the groundwater and eventually reaching Trout Lake, the source of North Bay’s municipal drinking water.

The proposed class-action lawsuit in North Bay alleges that DND was aware of elevated PFAS levels in groundwater near the airport as far back as 2011. Despite these findings, questions remain about the communication and follow-up actions between Transport Canada and National Defence regarding the PFAS contamination.

Residents in both Newfoundland and North Bay are expressing concerns over the long-standing issue of PFAS contamination and the potential health risks associated with these forever chemicals.