Ontario has spent over $84B on wildfire smoke health costs since 2014
A new Canadian Climate Institute analysis estimates wildfire smoke has cost the country $231 billion in health-related expenses since 2014, with Ontario bearing the largest burden at $84.2 billion.
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Wildfire smoke has become a persistent and costly public health crisis across Canada, with Ontario facing the largest burden of any province.
A new analysis by the Canadian Climate Institute estimates wildfire smoke has resulted in $231 billion in health-related economic costs across Canada since 2014, with chronic illnesses accounting for the vast majority of those expenses. Ontario recorded the highest estimated economic burden at $84.2 billion, followed by British Columbia at $52.4 billion, Alberta at $41.8 billion, and Quebec at $34.7 billion.
Researchers estimate wildfire smoke is associated with an average of 2,500 premature deaths nationwide each year, alongside millions of acute health events linked to smoke exposure. Most costs — roughly $226 billion of the total — stem from chronic conditions rather than immediate medical care, highlighting the lasting consequences of repeated exposure.
Data analyzed by the institute suggests that smoky days have become more frequent and severe since 2019, indicating the trend is accelerating. Dave Sawyer, principal economist with the Canadian Climate Institute, noted that Ontario residents have experienced a sharp increase in awareness. "I think a lot of people in Ontario woke up in 2023 and said, 'What? I thought smoke was an out-west thing, a British Columbia thing,' and that was very new," Sawyer said. "It happened again in 2025, and this year, in 2026, is particularly bad."
As climate change drives more heat waves and wildfire activity, experts warn that smoky summers may become the new normal, requiring sustained public health attention and policy response.
By the numbers
How much has wildfire smoke cost Canada in health expenses since 2014?
$231 billion in health-related economic costs across Canada since 2014, according to a Canadian Climate Institute analysis.
Which province has borne the largest wildfire smoke health cost burden?
Ontario recorded $84.2 billion in estimated economic burden from wildfire smoke since 2014, the highest of any Canadian province.
How many premature deaths per year are associated with wildfire smoke nationwide?
Wildfire smoke is associated with an average of 2,500 premature deaths nationwide each year, alongside millions of acute health events linked to smoke exposure.
What share of wildfire smoke health costs come from chronic conditions?
Roughly $226 billion of the $231 billion total stems from chronic conditions rather than immediate medical care.
