Clean Air Day (CAD) was proclaimed by the Government of Canada to increase public awareness and action on two key environmental priorities, clean air and climate change. This national event, falling on the Wednesday of Canadian Environment Week, builds on the tradition of activities held by environmental, health and transportation groups in May and June all across Canada. Clean Air Day is positioned as an important day in itself as well as a focal point in longer term initiatives.
Commuter Challenges, which also typically run during Environment Week
(1-5 days), provide a ready-made and increasingly popular event that
encourages participation in transportation alternatives in a concrete,
enjoyable and meaningful structure. Since the inception of CAD in 1999, EC
has successfully worked to develop a strong link between commuter challenges
and Clean Air Day. In commuter challenge events across the country CAD is
now considered the highest profile day.