Jul 15, 2026
Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning for much of southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, as wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario continues to drift south. Toronto's air quality was ranked worst in the world as of Wednesday morning, and the Waterloo region and Guelph area are under an orange-level warning, with poor conditions expected to persist until Friday.
Combined with today's heat, this is a serious health and safety issue for anyone working outdoors on our sites.
What to watch for: Smoke exposure can cause sore or irritated eyes, a runny nose, sore throat, headaches, or coughing. More serious symptoms like wheezing, chest pain, or a severe cough are less common but can happen.
What to do on site today:
Limit strenuous outdoor tasks where possible, and rotate crews to reduce individual exposure
Take breaks in enclosed, filtered spaces when available
Wear a properly fitted respirator (N95 or better) if you must work outdoors for extended periods
Keep an eye on co-workers, especially anyone over 65, pregnant, or with a chronic health condition — they're at greater risk
If you're experiencing breathing difficulty or chest tightness, stop work and tell your supervisor immediately
Conditions are expected to remain poor through the week in parts of the province. Members should check the Air Quality Health Index (airqualityontario.com) before heading to site each morning until this clears.
Stay safe out there.
— The Building Union of Canada