Canada–Quebec Info‑Smog Program MOU

Summary#

This notice publishes the Canada‑Quebec Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Quebec Info‑Smog Program, an agreement between the federal government and Quebec that became effective November 20, 2020. It sets out how Quebec’s air quality monitoring data and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s forecasts and smog warnings will be shared and managed across Quebec.

What it does#

• Confirms roles:
  • Quebec provides air quality measurements from monitoring stations across the province and sends hourly raw Data to federal systems.
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada runs the air quality simulation models, produces forecasts and issues smog warnings (in English and French).
• Sets up two joint bodies:
  • A Management Committee to oversee the agreement, approve the list of stations and regions covered, approve bulletin formats, and evaluate the MOU every five years.
  • A Program Committee to handle technical work (forecast categories, bulletin content, planning and cost‑sharing for joint actions).
• Data handling and ownership:
  • The Data originate from stations in Quebec; Quebec retains ownership and controls sharing.
  • Canada can use the Data internally (including for the federal Air Quality Health Index) but must not share the raw Data with third parties without Quebec’s consent.
  • Air quality forecast and smog warning bulletins are the property of Environment and Climate Change Canada; other partners may reissue them only with the original content and the federal source credited.
• Operational details and deadlines:
  • Quebec must update the agreed list of monitoring stations annually and submit it by April 30 each year.
  • The MOU takes effect on the last signature date for five years and is automatically renewable unless one party gives six months' notice to end it.
• Finance and scope:
  • No automatic financial transfers between the parties; each contributes its personnel and resources. The parties may share costs for specific joint actions.
  • The agreement applies to all of Quebec.

Who's affected#

• People living in Quebec, especially those who follow air quality forecasts and smog warnings (including vulnerable groups with health concerns).
• Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), and the City of Montréal, which are named partners in running the Info‑Smog Program.
• Local public health authorities and health system partners involved in communicating smog risks.
• Media and organizations that republish forecasts and warnings (they must credit the federal source when reissuing bulletins).
• Researchers, companies or third parties that want access to raw monitoring Data (access is restricted and requires Quebec’s consent).
• If unclear: the notice does not list every local partner; some municipal or private monitoring operators may also be involved.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies who does what so daily smog forecasts and warnings keep running smoothly across Quebec. That matters to people with respiratory or heart conditions, parents of young children, outdoor workers, and others sensitive to poor air quality.
• It spells out data ownership and sharing limits. That affects researchers and companies that might want raw air monitoring Data — they must ask Quebec for access.
• By formalizing committees, formats and review steps, the agreement aims to keep forecasts consistent and to improve how air‑quality information is communicated in both English and French.