Ontario says adopting the federal lead limit for drinking water would cost too much

Health Canada's guideline, set in 2019, is five parts per billion. Ontario allows twice as much.

An internal environment ministry memo from Mar 17 says the federal limit would put “substantial financial and implementation burdens” on municipalities. Documents obtained through freedom of information give no cost breakdown and no analysis of health benefits.

School tests over Ontario's limit

10 %

Of more than 175,000 lead tests in schools from 2019 to 2025, 10 per cent exceeded Ontario's guideline. More than half the schools tested had at least one result above the federal limit.

And us?

Ontario is one of two provinces yet to adopt the federal limit, and Saskatchewan is reviewing its policy. At the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, nearly 31 per cent of tests exceeded the federal standard.