Transport Canada has been aware of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, since the 1980s, according to documents obtained through an access-to-information request. PFAS, a group of thousands of chemicals, have been associated with various health issues including cancer, hypertension, and liver disease. These substances have contaminated groundwater at airports across Canada where firefighter training exercises were conducted using aqueous film-forming foams containing PFAS.
Alex Templeton, a lawyer at the McInnes Cooper law firm, is leading a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Torbay, N.L., residents affected by PFAS contamination near airports in Newfoundland. The lead plaintiffs, Eddie and Susan Sheerr, had their wells tested and found significant PFAS levels exceeding Health Canada guidelines. Transport Canada managed the firefighter training exercises near Torbay and Logy Bay–Middle Cove–Outer Cove, leading to the contamination of local wells.
Templeton obtained Transport Canada documents through access-to-information requests, revealing concerns about the toxicity of effluents produced during firefighter training as far back as 1984. Despite setting standards in 1979 to contain effluents, reports in 1990 highlighted ongoing risks of groundwater contamination. Transport Canada responded that their activities were in line with environmental policies at the time and that they were unaware of PFAS as contaminants.
The revelations from the documents have raised new worries in North Bay, where efforts are underway to clean up PFAS contamination in the drinking water. Lees Creek, which feeds into North Bay’s water source, Trout Lake, has been affected by PFAS from firefighting foams. A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed over the issue, alleging that DND was aware of PFAS levels exceeding guidelines. Residents like Liza Vandermeer are questioning the lack of action and communication between authorities regarding the PFAS contamination issue.