Write to the Ministers of Transport and Health
Tell Canada's Minister of Transport & Minister of Health leaders that aviation must no longer depend on spreading toxic lead over the places where children live, grow, and play.
Lead Doesn't Fly
There is no safe level of lead exposure. So why do we still allow leaded fuel from small planes to spread this dangerous toxin over our communities?
Years ago, Canada banned lead in fuel for cars, toys, paints, and other products — and with good reason. Lead is a potent toxin, one that is especially harmful to our kids' healthy development.
The last lead loophole is aviation fuel — and it's well past time to close it. Growing flight traffic at regional airports means that the risk of lead exposure for children and families is growing.
Join us in calling on governments to put and end to the toxic lead emissions falling on the yards, gardens, playgrounds, and fields where children live, grow, and play.
This goal is within reach. The US has already committed to eliminating leaded aviation fuel by 2030, following an official finding that it threatens public health. Now is no time for Canada to fall behind when it comes to protecting our kids.
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What you need to know about lead risks from small planes
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Lead is toxic - especially for our kids
The scientific evidence that lead is harmful to our health is extensive and longstanding. Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for kids because even low levels can negatively affect brain development. As the administrator of the US Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) stated in 2023: “The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children.”
The risks of lead are the reason why this dangerous neurotoxin was banned in Canada from paints in the 1960s, car gasoline in 1990, and toys in 2018. Even commercial jets have long operated without leaded fuel. The removal of lead from gasoline is considered a major global public health victory which sparked dramatic decreases in blood lead levels around the world.
Small planes burning leaded fuel remain the "dominant" source of lead emissions in the US — a fact that prompted the EPA to conclude that "lead emissions from aircraft are an important and urgent public health issue" because they "may reasonably be anticipated" to threaten public health and welfare.
Health concerns around leaded aviation fuel intensified following research on a California regional airport which found that children living closest to it had significantly higher lead levels in their blood, especially those living downwind and during periods of heavier aircraft activity.
Continuing to permit small aircraft to burn leaded fuel over communities across Canada is like scattering millions of toys with unsafe lead levels across the places where our children live and play. That's not a risk that parent or family would take, and it's not a risk that local, provincial, and federal governments should continue to permit.
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Lead risks from small aircraft are growing
The need for action is becoming more urgent because activity at many regional airports is increasing.
Consider the Pitt Meadows Airport in Metro Vancouver. According to Statistics Canada data, annual aircraft movements surpassed 208,000 in 2025, about twice the level recorded a decade earlier. In practical terms, that growth means an additional aircraft movement every few minutes throughout the day, increasing the volume of lead emissions released into surrounding neighbourhoods.
Pitt Meadows recorded 17,906 takeoffs and landings in June 2026 alone (the most recent data available). That is comparable to the monthly flight activity at Calgary and Montréal's international airports and greater than the totals recorded in Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg and Halifax. The difference is those airports are dominated by commercial jets that do not operate on leaded fuel, while much of Pitt Meadows' activity involves small piston-engine aircraft that continue to burn leaded avgas.
AI-assisted estimates produced for academic review suggest that total flight activity at Pitt Meadows may now release roughly 366 kilograms of airborne lead annually. That’s equivalent to burning more than 25,000 car tanks of leaded gasoline a year.
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Canada is lagging behind on protecting kids from lead
Canada is lagging behind the US when it comes to protecting kids from toxic lead.
The scientific consensus about the harmful impact of lead on children prompted the US to commit to phasing out leaded aviation fuel by 2030, leading the way on new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft. This decision demonstrates that regulators, airports, aircraft operators, and fuel suppliers judge that the transition is achieveable.By contrast, Transport Canada has not clarified whether Canada plans to phase out leaded aviation gasoline on a similar timeline, and there is currently no regular monitoring of airborne lead pollution at airports like Pitt Meadows, where small aircraft traffic is increasing.
If Ottawa intends to direct new resources toward regional airports as Prime Minister Carney suggested at the 2026 investment summit, it should ensure those investments support the aviation system of the future rather than perpetuate a dangerous health and environmental exemption from the past.
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There are alternatives to leaded fuel
The good news is that cleaner alternatives toxic leaded aviation fuel are already emerging.
Canadian flight operators, including Sealand Flight in Campbell River, BC, are also beginning to introduce electric training aircraft that dramatically reduce both fuel emissions and aircraft noise.
At Boundary Bay Airport in British Columbia, Delta-based company Elibird aero is working to establish Canada’s first all-electric flight training operation using battery-powered aircraft.
These developments highlight the choice facing regional airports — many of which are owned by the very municipal governments elected to represent residents exposed to rising risks of toxic lead emissions. Should we permit these airports to continue to expand aviation using a toxic fuel the automotive sector abandoned decades ago? Or should we support them to help pioneer the cleaner, quieter aviation systems of the future?
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Banning leaded fuel doesn't mean getting rid of regional airports
Banning leaded fuel is not an argument against regional airports. Regional airports create jobs that pay family bills. They provide taxes and important economic benefits for the municipalities that often own them. They support pilot training, facilitate emergency response, and improve transportation connectivity.
The question is whether their future growth should depend on a fuel that was removed from everyday transportation decades ago because of its health consequences.
Canadian families should no longer be asked to subsidize recreational flying and flight training by accepting risks to their kids from growing lead emissions.
Aviation gasoline remains one of the last transportation fuels in Canada that still contains lead. If Ottawa intends to direct new resources toward regional airports, these investments should be tied to supporting airports to make the transition to the cleaner and less risky aviation systems of the future - not perpetuating a dangerous health and environmental exemption from the past.
3 Ways To Help Protect Kids From Toxic Lead
Tell City Hall in your community to protect kids
Local politicians should support plans to eliminate toxic lead pollution from aviation fuel. Use our sample letter to let them know you want action.
Call on Public Health officials to track and disclose lead risks
There is no safe level of lead exposure for our kids. Assessing, tracking, and communicating the risks is where public health should lead.
Is your community exposed to toxic lead from aviation fuel?
Hundreds of municipalities across Canada are home to local airports with small planes that rely on leaded fuel. Every day, these aircraft spread toxic lead emissions over our homes, schools, playgrounds, and farms.
Many of these airports are owned by the cites and towns in which they operate. Too many of the leaders we elect are standing by while the risk of lead pollution for our kids and families grows.
Learn whether your community may be at risk from leaded aviation fuel. This information was compiled with the help of AI. We welcome the opportunity to correct any errors.
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British Columbia
Community
Airport Name
Airport Owner / Operator
Abbotsford
Abbotsford International — CYXX / YXX
City of Abbotsford
Campbell River
Campbell River Airport — CYBL / YBL
City of Campbell River
Chilliwack
Chilliwack Airport — CYCW / YCW
City of Chilliwack / airport operator
Cranbrook
Canadian Rockies International — CYXC / YXC
City of Cranbrook
Delta
Boundary Bay Airport — CZBB
City of Delta / Alpha Aviation
Kamloops
Kamloops Airport — CYKA / YKA
Kamloops Airport Ltd.
Kelowna
Kelowna International — CYLW / YLW
City of Kelowna
Langley
Langley Regional Airport — CYNJ / YNJ
Township of Langley
Nanaimo
Nanaimo Airport — CYCD / YCD
Nanaimo Airport Commission
Penticton
Penticton Regional Airport — CYYF / YYF
Transport Canada
Pitt Meadows
Pitt Meadows Regional Airport — CYPK / YPK
Pitt Meadows Airport Society
Powell River
Powell River Airport — CYPW / YPW
City of Powell River
Prince George
Prince George Airport — CYXS / YXS
Prince George Airport Authority
Qualicum Beach
Qualicum Beach Airport — CAT4 / XQU
Town of Qualicum Beach
Quesnel
Quesnel Regional Airport — CYQZ / YQZ
City of Quesnel
Salmon Arm
Shuswap Regional Airport — CZAM
City of Salmon Arm
Sechelt
Sechelt Airport — CAP3
District of Sechelt
Smithers
Smithers Regional Airport — CYYD / YYD
Town of Smithers
Trail
Trail Regional Airport — CYZZ / YZZ
City of Trail
Vernon
Vernon Regional Airport — CYVK / YVE
City of Vernon
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Alberta
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Camrose
Camrose Airport — CEQ3
City of Camrose
Cold Lake
Cold Lake Regional Airport — CEN5
Municipal District of Bonnyville
Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie Airport — CYQU / YQU
Grande Prairie Airport Commission
High River
High River Regional Airport — CEN4
High River Regional Airport Ltd.
Lethbridge
Lethbridge Airport — CYQL / YQL
City of Lethbridge
Lloydminster
Lloydminster Airport — CYLL / YLL
City of Lloydminster
Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat Regional Airport — CYXH / YXH
City of Medicine Hat
Peace River
Peace River Regional Airport — CYPE / YPE
Peace River Regional Airport Association
Red Deer
Red Deer Regional Airport — CYQF / YQF
Red Deer Regional Airport Authority
Rocky Mountain House
Rocky Mountain House Airport — CYRM / YRM
Town/County regional partnership
Springbank / Calgary
Springbank Airport — CYBW / YBW
Calgary Airport Authority
Villeneuve / Edmonton region
Villeneuve Airport — CZVL
Edmonton Airports
Wetaskiwin
Wetaskiwin Regional Airport — CEX3
City of Wetaskiwin
Whitecourt
Whitecourt Airport — CYZU / YZU
Town of Whitecourt
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Saskatchewan
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Estevan
Estevan Regional Airport — CYEN / YEN
City of Estevan
Kindersley
Kindersley Regional Airport — CYKY / YKY
Town of Kindersley
Lloydminster
Lloydminster Airport — CYLL / YLL
City of Lloydminster
Melfort
Melfort Airport — CJZ3
City of Melfort
Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw Municipal Airport — CJS4
City of Moose Jaw
North Battleford
Cameron McIntosh Airport — CYQW / YQW
City of North Battleford
Prince Albert
Prince Albert (Glass Field) Airport — CYPA / YPA
City of Prince Albert
Swift Current
Swift Current Airport — CYYN / YYN
City of Swift Current
Weyburn
Weyburn Airport — CJE3
City of Weyburn
Yorkton
Yorkton Municipal Airport — CYQV / YQV
City of Yorkton
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Manitoba
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Brandon
Brandon Municipal Airport — CYBR / YBR
City of Brandon
Dauphin
Lt. Col. W.G. Barker VC Airport — CYDN / YDN
City of Dauphin
Morden / Winkler
Morden Regional Airport — CJA3
City of Morden
Portage la Prairie
Southport Airport — CYPG / YPG
Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.
Selkirk
Selkirk Airport — CKL2
Local airport operator
St. Andrews / Winnipeg region
St. Andrews Airport — CYAV / YAV
St. Andrews Airport Inc.
Winkler
Winkler Airport — CKZ7
City of Winkler
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Ontario
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Barrie / Oro-Medonte
Lake Simcoe Regional Airport — CYLS / YLK
Lake Simcoe Regional Airport Inc.
Brantford
Brantford Municipal Airport — CYFD / YFD
City of Brantford
Brockville
Brockville Regional Tackaberry Airport — CNL3
City of Brockville
Cornwall
Cornwall Regional Airport — CYCC / YCC
City of Cornwall / Township of South Glengarry
Dryden
Dryden Regional Airport — CYHD / YHD
City of Dryden
Fort Frances
Fort Frances Municipal Airport — CYAG / YAG
Town of Fort Frances
Goderich
Goderich Municipal Airport — CYGD / YGD
Town of Goderich
Kingston
Kingston Airport — CYGK / YGK
City of Kingston
Kitchener-Waterloo
Region of Waterloo International — CYKF / YKF
Region of Waterloo
London
London International Airport — CYXU / YXU
Greater London International Airport Authority
Muskoka
Muskoka Airport — CYQA / YQA
District Municipality of Muskoka
Niagara-on-the-Lake / St. Catharines
Niagara District Airport — CYSN / YCM
Niagara District Airport Commission
North Bay
Jack Garland Airport — CYYB / YYB
North Bay Jack Garland Airport Corporation
Orillia
Orillia Rama Regional Airport — CNJ4
Orillia Rama Regional Airport Commission
Oshawa
Oshawa Executive Airport — CYOO / YOO
City of Oshawa
Ottawa
Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport — CYRO / YRO
Rockcliffe Flying Club
Owen Sound
Billy Bishop Regional Airport — CYOS / YOS
City of Owen Sound / airport operator
Peterborough
Peterborough Airport — CYPQ / YPQ
City of Peterborough
Sarnia
Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport — CYZR / YZR
City of Sarnia / airport operator
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie Airport — CYAM / YAM
Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp.
Stratford
Stratford Municipal Airport — CYSA
City of Stratford
Sudbury
Greater Sudbury Airport — CYSB / YSB
Sudbury Airport Community Development Corp.
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay International — CYQT / YQT
Thunder Bay International Airports Authority
Timmins
Victor M. Power Airport — CYTS / YTS
City of Timmins
Welland / Pelham
Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport — CNQ3
Niagara Central Airport Commission
Windsor
Windsor International Airport — CYQG / YQG
City of Windsor / Your Quick Gateway Inc.
Wiarton
Wiarton Keppel International — CYVV / YVV
Township of Georgian Bluffs
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Quebec
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Alma
Alma Airport — CYTF / YTF
CIDAL / regional economic-development corporation
Bromont
Roland-Désourdy Airport — CZBM / ZBM
Régie aéroportuaire régionale des Cantons-de-l'Est
Drummondville
Drummondville Airport — CSC3
Local airport authority
Gatineau
Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport — CYND / YND
Aéroport exécutif Gatineau-Ottawa
Lachute
Lachute Airport — CSE4
Ville de Lachute
Mont-Laurier
Mont-Laurier Airport — CSD4
Ville de Mont-Laurier
Montréal / Longueuil
Montréal Metropolitan Airport (Saint-Hubert) — CYHU / YHU
Développement Aéroport Saint-Hubert de Longueuil
Rimouski
Rimouski Airport — CYXK / YXK
Ville de Rimouski
Rivière-du-Loup
Rivière-du-Loup Airport — CYRI / YRI
Ville de Rivière-du-Loup
Rouyn-Noranda
Rouyn-Noranda Airport — CYUY / YUY
Ville de Rouyn-Noranda
Saint-Georges
Saint-Georges Airport — CYSG
Ville de Saint-Georges
Saint-Hyacinthe
Saint-Hyacinthe Airport — CSU3
Local airport operator
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Saint-Jean Airport — CYJN / YJN
Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke Airport — CYSC / YSC
Ville de Sherbrooke
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières Airport — CYRQ / YRQ
Ville de Trois-Rivières
Val-d'Or
Val-d'Or Airport — CYVO / YVO
Aéroport régional de Val-d'Or
Victoriaville
Victoriaville Airport — CSR3
Ville de Victoriaville
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Nova Scotia
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Debert / Truro
Debert Airport — CCQ3
Municipality of the County of Colchester / local operator
Digby
Digby/Annapolis Regional Airport — CYID / YDG
Regional municipal interests
Port Hawkesbury
Allan J. MacEachen Port Hawkesbury Airport — CYPD / YPS
Local airport authority / Celtic Air Services
Sydney
J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport — CYQY / YQY
Sydney Airport Authority
Trenton / New Glasgow
Trenton Airport — CYTN
Municipality/local airport operator
Yarmouth
Yarmouth International Airport — CYQI / YQI
Yarmouth International Airport Corporation
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New Brunswick
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Bathurst
Bathurst Regional Airport — CZBF / ZBF
Northern New Brunswick Airport Authority
Edmundston
Edmundston Airport — CYES
City of Edmundston
Fredericton
Fredericton International — CYFC / YFC
Fredericton International Airport Authority
Miramichi
Miramichi Airport — CYCH / YCH
Miramichi Airport Commission
Moncton / Dieppe
Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International — CYQM / YQM
Greater Moncton International Airport Authority
Saint John
Saint John Airport — CYSJ / YSJ
Saint John Airport Inc.
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PEI
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Charlottetown
Charlottetown Airport — CYYG / YYG
Charlottetown Airport Authority
Summerside
Summerside Airport — CYSU / YSU
Slemon Park Corporation
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Newfoundland & Labrador
Community
Airport name & code
Airport owner/operator
Corner Brook / Deer Lake
Deer Lake Regional Airport — CYDF / YDF
Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority
Gander
Gander International Airport — CYQX / YQX
Gander International Airport Authority
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Goose Bay Airport — CYYR / YYR
Goose Bay Airport Corporation / federal aviation facilities
St. John's
St. John's International — CYYT / YYT
St. John's International Airport Authority
