Lithium-ion battery fires surge across Canada as federal regulators eye mandatory safety rules

Lithium-ion batteries powering everything from e-bikes and phones to power tools are sparking an alarming number of fires across Canada, prompting fire departments to sound alarms and federal regulators to consider tougher safety rules.

Toronto Fire Services has reported a staggering 82 battery-related incidents this year — roughly one every three days. Vancouver Fire Rescue Services has responded to 20 lithium-ion battery fires in 2026, while Calgary firefighters have dealt with 18, including three in a single 24-hour period last week. In Medicine Hat, Alberta, a recent residential fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery in a solar light — a device many consider benign.

These small batteries pack enormous energy. They're lightweight, powerful, and rechargeable, making them ubiquitous in e-bikes, e-scooters, portable power banks, baby monitors, and toys. But they present hazards including overheating, off-gassing, smoke, fire, and what firefighters call "thermal runaway" — when a battery cell rapidly heats up and triggers further heating inside the battery, potentially leading to explosion.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said it is seeing battery fires involving a range of products, with incidents frequently involving e-bikes. These fires are caused by batteries that have been damaged, improperly charged, modified, or paired with non-approved chargers or components.

The surge has caught the attention of federal regulators. Transport Canada regulates the labelling, transport, and handling of lithium batteries. Health Canada said it is looking at potential new safety requirements for lithium-ion batteries and consumer products containing them. In an email to Daily Hive, Health Canada said there is "broad support for the introduction of mandatory safety requirements." At the same time, international harmonization, costs to industry, and transition timelines are key considerations.

However, the proposed rules would not directly apply to e-bikes and e-scooters. Health Canada said those devices are considered vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and are therefore excluded. Certain replacement lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and other micromobility devices could still fall under the proposed rules.

"Should a regulatory path be pursued, stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide feedback on proposed regulations when they are published in Canada Gazette, Part I," says Health Canada.

For now, fire departments are urging Canadians to use the battery and charger approved for their device, avoid modifying batteries, keep them away from extreme heat, and don't use batteries that show signs of damage, swelling, leaking, overheating, or unusual odours.