From plastics and forever chemicals, to the everyday consumer products in our homes, toxic substances continue to threaten human health, disproportionately impact Indigenous, frontline and vulnerable communities, and degrade ecosystems across the country. So we asked the federal parties: what will you really do about it?
Why Now?
As Canada approaches election day, environmental groups issued six key questions to federal political parties about their environmental and climate commitments. As part of that effort, our Coalition for Action on Toxics (CAT) zoomed in on three critical questions related to toxic exposures—and their very real impacts on our health.
Because yes, toxics aren’t just a “pollution” issue—they’re a health and justice issue too.
What We Asked
1. Plastic Pollution
Will you reinforce Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste agenda, including expanding single-use plastic bans and working with other high-ambition countries to develop a global plastics treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040?
2. Forever Chemicals
Will you expedite the phase-out of forever chemicals (PFAS), including in consumer products, to protect people in Canada?
3. Chemicals Management
Will you provide long-term funding for Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan to better protect the health of people and the environment from toxic exposures, including harmful chemicals in consumer products?
Why These Questions Matter
Because these aren’t abstract policy debates—they’re deeply personal. Toxic exposures show up in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use every day. They’re linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and chronic illness.
From non-stick pans coated in PFAS to microplastics in the soil, to benzene and other volatile organic compounds in the air, people in Canada are being exposed to toxic pollutants linked to health harms. The average household is filled with items linked to long-term health harms.
In fact, the majority of people in Canada—nearly 9 in 10 people—are supportive of the federal government getting rid of harmful chemicals. That’s 88% of people in Canada who want to see more federal regulatory action under CEPA on chemicals of concern such as PFAS, plastics and plastics additives. And, unfortunately, Indigenous, racialized, disabled and poor communities as well as women and gender-diverse people are disproportionately exposed and impacted by pollution, hazardous exposures and harmful environmental conditions.
Reducing toxic exposures is a public health imperative—and a matter of environmental justice. So where do the federal parties stand?
And Yet…
Toxics didn’t even make it into the environment segment of the leaders’ debate. This omission is troubling, as the health impacts of toxic substances affect everyone—including our political leaders. Microplastics are floating in their bloodstreams too.
We can and must do better. Canada needs a bold, well-funded, and justice-centered toxics strategy—one that’s grounded in science, led in partnership with Indigenous communities, and focused on protecting health and equity.
Meet the Moment
Election season is the time to ask tough questions because protecting our health starts with preventing harm. It provides a critical opportunity to hold parties accountable for their positions on environmental health. We believe that protecting health starts with preventing harm—and that means addressing toxic exposures at their source.
We urge all voters to consider these questions when making their electoral decisions, and we call on all parties to prioritize the development of robust policies to protect people in Canada from toxic substances.
The health of all people, all our communities and our environment depends on it.