Prince Rupert residents can breathe a sigh of relief after private studies identified that the city has the best air quality in Canada and ranks fourth in all of North America.
The housefresh.com study used data from IQAir’s air quality monitoring platform and their 2024 air quality index to identify the towns and cities with the best and worst air quality on each continent.
The only other Canadian city to be ranked in the top 10 for North American air quality was Powell River at fifth. On the other end of the spectrum, Whitecourt, Alberta, was ranked as the worst air quality in North America.
Poor air quality can lead to long-term health risks such as asthma attacks, bronchitis flare-ups, and heart disease, and can lead to stroke, premature death, and increased hospital visits. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions are the most vulnerable.
Some factors in Prince Rupert’s air quality include its isolation in northwest B.C. with the closest city being Terrace at nearly 150 kilometres away. Prince Rupert does not have large industrial operations that produce air pollution.
The city rarely sees wildfires due to its wet conditions so little smoke is released into the environment. The forests around Prince Rupert act as natural air filters and the city’s reliance on natural gas and renewable energy are all major reasons why the city has the best air quality in Canada.
