Newsletter April 1, 2026
City Guidance is Clear.
When wildfire smoke pushes the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to the high risk range, the Medical Officer and the Chief Communications Officer will advise residents and businesses in Toronto to avoid using gas-powered leaf blowers.
City Council passed a motion by Councillor Dianne Saxe, inspired by GASBUSTERS- recognizing what residents have been saying for years: gas-powered leaf blowers don’t belong in a public health emergency.
“When wildfire smoke pushes Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index into high or very high risk (7–10), the motion directs city operations, businesses, and residents to refrain—wherever practical and feasible—from using 2-stroke gas-powered leaf blowers.”
Council didn’t stop there. The motion also instructs the City’s Chief Communications Officer to use all appropriate communication channels to ensure businesses and residents understand the guidance and the health risks behind it.
This is more than a recommendation—it’s a clear signal of where the city is headed. Public health comes first. Cleaner, quieter alternatives exist. And Toronto is moving forward.
