Program or Service Description:
Ontario has long been recognized as a national leader in air monitoring and reporting. The Air Quality Index (AQI) and Smog Alert Program provide Ontarians with timely and accurate air quality information so they can make informed decisions regarding protecting their health. The AQI values for 40 Ontario communities are reported, in near real-time, on the ministry's website www.airqualityontario.com 24hours a day, seven days a week. Air quality forecasts, based on regional meteorological conditions are also provided under the Smog Alert Program. The interactive features on the ministry's website such as geographical display of data, station information and reporting of real-time pollutant concentrations result in better information sharing with the people of Ontario. The public may subscribe to the Smog Alert Network to receive direct emails of smog alerts.
Overall:
We are committed to the OPS service principles (i.e., accessible, responsive, reliable, caring, accountable; consistent, predictable, transparent, continuous improvement) and OPS common service standards (i.e., response times to general phone calls, mail, email, fax) as outlined in the ministry's service charter.
Program or Service-specific Standards:
- Post AQI Reports to the ministry's website and the Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system 30 minutes past the hour, 24 times a day, 7 days a week
- Update air quality forecasts twice daily on the ministry's website and Integrated Voice Response (IVR), daily at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. If there is an unexpected change in weather patterns, the forecast is updated as required. Weekend forecasts are only updated on Friday afternoons
- Issue Smog Advisories within 24 hours of forecasted elevated smog levels and as necessary
- Distribute Smog Alert notifications to the Smog Alert Network within 24 hours of issuing a smog advisory
- Respond to phone calls within 1 business day e-mail and letters within 3 business days
Program or Service Information:
The public can access the AQI and air quality forecasts via the ministry's website www.airqualityontario.com, or by calling the ministry's air quality information Integrated Voice Response (IVR) toll-free (English recording 1-800-387-7768; French recording 1-800-221-8852).
Program or Service-specific Feedback:
Those interested in information about Ontario's Air Quality Index and Smog Alert Program should consult the Ministry of the Environment's website, www.airqualityontario.com or contact the ministry's Air Quality Office at: AQWeather.Office.moe@ontario.ca
General Feedback:
Feedback on the ministry's service delivery is welcome through the following channels:
| Online: | MOE Internet site under Contact Us |
| In person: | At any ministry front counter office across the province |
| Telephone: | 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923 |
| TTY: | 416-326-9236 or 1-800-515-2759 |
| Fax: | 416-325-3159 |
| Email: | picemail.moe@ontario.ca |
| Mail: | Public Information Centre 135 St. Clair Ave West, 1st Floor Toronto, Ontario M4V 1P5 |
