management and monitoring has led to a 40% decrease on average of persistent organic pollutants in northern fish and wildlife. The decrease in these contaminants in fish and wildlife, together with dietary changes, has contributed to an approximately 60% decrease in contaminant exposure among northern populations.
For additional information on the implementation strategies that support this target, please consult the following websites: Environment Canada, Health Canada, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
Progress Towards Target 3.12: Concentrations of selected substances (PFOS and PBDE) in water
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of chemicals used as flame retardants that are considered dangerous for wildlife. PBDEs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such that they build up in living organisms, remain in the environment for long periods after their release and are capable of long-range transport.
PBDEs are considered high-priority chemicals under the CMP. Currently, the use of PBDEs in Canada is declining because most commercial mixtures containing these chemicals have either been voluntarily phased out by manufacturers or are subject to restrictions in Canada. In addition, Canada is also engaged in two international agreements that restrict and ultimately target the elimination of the production, use, trade, release and storage of PBDEs.
Despite these efforts, long-range transport of PBDEs to Canada, potential presence in imported products, widespread use in the past and slow breakdown following release mean that PBDEs still remain in the Canadian environment.
Indicators have been developed to report on PBDEs. The PBDEs in Fish and Sediment indicators report on the occurrence of PBDE concentrations above or below Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (FEQGs) in both fish tissue and sediment. FEQGs are numerical limits established under the CMP to protect aquatic life. Concentrations below the guidelines are not of concern, while concentrations above guidelines indicate that further evaluation may be required.
From 2007–2010, levels of PBDEs in fish and sediments were below the FEQGs in the majority of drainage regions in Canada. Exceedances in fish have occurred; mainly for pentaBDEs in most drainage regions and for tetraBDE in one drainage region. Exceedances in sediment have occurred for pentaBDE and decaBDE in 4 out of 10 sample drainage regions.
PBDEs in Fish
Between 2008 and 2010, the government conducted fish sampling in 11 drainage regions, and analysed PBDEs concentrations in fish tissue of 4 sub-groups for which guidelines have been set: triBDE, tetraBDE, pentaBDE and hexaBDE. The analysis found that concentrations of triBDE, tetraBDE and hexaBDE in most drainage regions were below the guidelines. However, levels of tetraBDE in the Great Lakes and pentaBDE in almost all the drainage regions exceeded the guidelines levels.
PBDEs in sediment
Between 2007 and 2010, the government conducted sediment sampling in 10 drainage regions, and analysed sediment concentrations for 6 sub-groups of PBDEs that have guidelines. The analysis found that sediment samples from the Pacific coastal, the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence drainage regions had pentaBDE and decaBDE concentrations above FEQGs. Sediment from the Lower Saskatchewan–Nelson drainage region had only total pentaBDE above guideline levels. All other sub-groups of PBDEs were below the guidelines for all regions where sampling occurred.
Overall, concentrations of PBDEs show evidence of a decline in environmental media such as fish and sediment. However, due to their persistent nature, susceptibility to long-range transport and presence in imported products, it will take some time to eliminate PBDEs from the Canadian environment.
Through comparison to the FEQGs for PBDEs, data suggest that concentrations of most forms in most regions of Canada present a low potential for adverse effects on the organisms examined in this monitoring program. These results provide an important piece of information to be used by the Government of Canada in evaluating its risk management strategy for PBDEs.
For the most up-to-date information on this indicator, please visit CESI.
Progress Towards Target 3.12: Mercury, cadmium and lead released to water
Mercury, cadmium and lead are naturally occurring metals; however, they can also be released directly to water from human activities such as sewage treatment, production of pulp and paper, and processing of metals for products or industrial uses.
As shown in figures 3.12, 3.13, and 3.14, in Canada the amount of mercury, cadmium and lead released to water was
lower in 2010 than in 2003. In 2010, the amount released was reduced from 2003 levels by 29% or 112 kg for mercury, by 22% or 5453 kg for lead and by 46% or 2275 kg for cadmium.
For the most up-to-date information on these
indicators, please visit CESI (mercury, cadmium, lead).
Figure 3.12: Mercury release to water, 2003 to 2010
0
Annual national amount released to water in kilograms
www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators
Figure 3.14: Lead release to water, 2003 to 2010
0
Annual national amount released to water in kilograms
www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators
Figure 3.13: Cadmium release to water, 2003 to 2010
0
Annual national amount released to water in kilograms
Goal 4: Water Availability – Enhance information to ensure that Canadians can manage and use water
resources in a manner consistent with the sustainability of the resource.
Progress Towards Goal 4: Water quantity (water level indicator and water flow indicator)
Between 2001 and 2010, Canada’s rivers typically contained a normal quantity of water. However, as shown in Figure 3.15, there are
variations from year to year. In 2010, 16 drainage regions had normal water quantity, 4 had higher-than-normal water quantity, and 1 region showed lower-than-normal water quantity. In 2001, 5 drainage regions experienced lower-than-normal water quantity — for example, central Canada had less than usual rainfall and snowfall that year. In 2005 — a particularly wet year in central Canada — higher-than-normal water quantity was observed in 6 drainage regions.
Natural changes in temperature, rainfall and snowfall can cause water quantities in rivers, lakes and reservoirs to rise and fall throughout the year. These weather fluctuations can result in flooding or water shortages.
For the most up-to-date information on this indicator, please visit CESI.
Between 2001 and 2010, Canada’s rivers typically contained a normal quantity of water.
In 2009, water in rivers was withdrawn for human use at a rate of greater than 40% (high threat to water availability) in portions of southern Ontario, southern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, southwestern Manitoba and the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia; between 10% and 40% (moderate to medium threat) in portions of southern Alberta and southwestern Manitoba; and less than 10% (low threat) across the rest of Canada.
Figure 3.15: Water quantity in Canada’s drainage regions, 2001 to 2010
Number of drainage regions Low
Normal High