Suffer from seasonal allergies? Research has revealed two provinces are pollen hotspots

New research has revealed Canada’s best and most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies, and one province is home to four of the five locations with the highest pollen loads.

The report from Aerobiology Research Laboratories shows that four cities in southern Ontario — Windsor, Hamilton, Barrie and Kingston — are among the most challenging places to live for Canadians who suffer from seasonal allergies, while Victoria, in B.C., also makes it into the top five.

The report ranked Canadian cities based on the length of the pollen season, the number of days with high or very high pollen counts, the peak intensity of seasonal pollen concentrations, frequency and duration of overlapping pollen seasons and regional climate variables influencing pollen production.

It noted that southern Ontario experiences longer pollen seasons and higher peak pollen concentrations than elsewhere in the country, thanks to “dense surrounding vegetation, including extensive deciduous forests, favourable climate conditions and the abundance of highly allergenic species such as birch, oak and ragweed.”

Canadians who suffer from seasonal allergies might want to consider ditching Ontario for the East Coast, which is home to four out of the five Canadian cities with the lowest seasonal pollen burden.

Saint John and Moncton in New Brunswick; St. John’s, Newfoundland; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, all experience very few days with high pollen concentrations, along with Regina, Saskatchewan.

This is due to coastal conditions, cooler temperatures and regional vegetation patterns, according to the Aerobiology Research Laboratories report.

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The report looked at pollen trends for tree, grass and weed species. Tree pollen is the primary driver of spring seasonal allergy symptoms in Canada, and, when it comes to tree pollen alone, the report paints a slightly different picture.

The top three cities with the highest levels are all in B.C.: Victoria, Vancouver/Burnaby and Kelowna. Windsor and Hamilton, Ontario, come in fourth and fifth.

And, in bad news for allergy sufferers, the report notes that annual pollen loads across Canada show a clear upward trend in recent years, suggesting that pollen seasons are becoming more intense.

“Warmer temperatures contribute to earlier seasonal onset, longer growing seasons and increased pollen production,” the report says. “Higher temperatures and air pollution in urban environments may further intensify exposure to airborne allergens.”

Earlier this month, the Old Farmer’s Almanac revealed its summer forecast for 2026, and Canada is predicted to experience “warmer than normal” weather this year.

In fact, Professor Kent Moore, from the University of Toronto’s Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, previously told National Post that Canada might see its warmest year on record in 2026, because of current climate patterns.

This could result in a tough year for seasonal allergy sufferers, but Aerobiology Research Laboratories offers advice on managing and preventing symptoms when the pollen count is high.

These include showering and changing into clean clothing after spending time outdoors, keeping windows and doors closed during high-pollen periods and regularly cleaning to prevent pollen accumulation indoors.

Wearing a face covering and protective eyewear may help reduce irritation, and planning travel during late summer and early fall will avoid peak ragweed season.

• Canada's summer forecast is warmer than average, except for one region
• Happiest city to live in Canada is in Ontario but it's not Toronto, survey finds

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