Emergency

Air quality concerns

Foggy coastline near Bella Bella

Vancouver Coastal Health provides information and advice to help prevent and address air quality concerns within our communities. Learn who to contact for air quality concerns in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

VCH collaborates with government partners, Indigenous partners, community members and experts to monitor air quality and improve the air we breathe.

Vancouver Coastal Health manages concerns about tobacco and vapour issues. To share concerns or questions, learn about tobacco and vapour control  , submit feedback through the Health Protection Feedback Form  or contact your local Health Protection Office. Contact your Municipal Bylaw Enforcement if a local bylaw exists prohibiting/restricting smoking in the indoor space in question.

Other air quality concerns should be directed to the appropriate authority.​ If you have any questions about who to contact, our team is here to provide information and guidance. We will provide resources that could be of assistance and may also refer you to a different organization, depending on the issue.

Concern Who to contact
Safety hazard (i.e. gas leak, fire)

9-1-1

Fortis BC
Outdoor air quality and odour complaints in Metro Vancouver  Metro Vancouver: call the complaint line at 604-436-6777 or use the ​online complaint form
Outdoor air quality complaints outside Metro Vancouver/Provincial

BC Ministry of Environment and Parks: call the 

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline toll-free in BC at 1-877-952-7277 or report the incident online
Backyard or open air burning complaints

Depending on your location and the type of burning, concerns can be directed to: 

  • Your local fire department (many municipalities and regional districts have a local bylaw restricting campfires and open air burning)
  • BC Ministry of Environment and Parks call line at 1-877-952-7277

Metro Vancouver call line at 604-436-6777
Workplace indoor air quality Work Safe BC: report by calling 604-276-3053, toll-free at 1-800-335-9330 or use the online complaint form 
Residential indoor air quality concerns (i.e. mould, odors, dust, HVAC systems, cooking odor/smoke, tobacco smoke)

Your property manager/strata 

Your Local Government Department (e.g., city, district, town, or municipality)

BC Residential Tenancy Branch: by calling 604-660-1020, toll-free in BC at 1-800-665-or via email at HSRTO@gov.bc.ca 
Non-emergency health advice Your family doctor, medical clinic, or 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) 
Tobacco and vapour issues

VCH Tobacco & Vapour Control team website or use the health protection feedback. You can reach us through the Health Protection feedback form or contact your local office. 

Municipal Bylaw Enforcement if a local bylaw exists prohibiting/restricting smoking in the indoor space in question.