Air quality in our region is good and almost always meets local objectives. For most common air contaminants, our air quality is better than it was 20 years ago, even with the growth in population and economic activity we've experienced.

But as our population increases, it may be challenging to maintain our good air quality. Cars, trucks, buses, ships, trains, planes, home furnaces, fireplaces, industrial operations, and commercial facilities all emit air contaminants.

Under provincial legislation Metro Vancouver is responsible for monitoring air quality in the region, controlling industrial, commercial and some residential emissions, creating long-term plans and conducting emission inventories.

Metro Vancouver was the first regional district in Canada to develop and adopt an Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) in 1994. After achieving the 1994 AQMP’s emission reduction goal, the GVRD Board adopted a new AQMP with a vision of clean and healthy air for current and future generations. The 2005 AQMP was developed in consultation with other government agencies, the business community, health and environmental groups, other interested parties and the public. Metro Vancouver will implement the 2005 AQMP over the next decade.

To help reduce air emissions in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed, Metro Vancouver has worked cooperatively with other local, provincial and federal agencies to develop and implement emission reduction programs for businesses and local residents.

Commercial and industrial operations contribute a significant amount of the total emissions released in the Lower Fraser Valley. Metro Vancouver uses a system of permits and regulations to help manage the major sources of business and industrial emissions and restrict these contaminants. Metro Vancouver staff also monitor permitted and regulated emission sources, and enforce air emission limits.