CFLPA initiates investigation into Elks-Stamps game amid air quality concerns

The CFL Players' Association says Occupational Health and Safety in Alberta is investigating the CFL's decision to play the Edmonton Elks-Calgary Stampeders game Monday despite smoky conditions in Calgary.

The Stampeders rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Elks 35-31 at McMahon Stadium. The contest was played despite Environment Canada's Air Quality Health index for Calgary measuring between eight and 10 throughout the day.

The CFL and CFLPA have a policy that's been in place since 2019 that states on-field activities are to either be cancelled or ceased when the air-quality rating exceeds seven.

The CFLPA feels Monday's game shouldn't have been played due to a poor air-quality reading. The union says it twice informed the CFL in writing — before the opening kickoff and afterwards — that the contest shouldn't go ahead because of unsafe work conditions.

In its submission to the CFL after the opening kickoff, the CFLPA stated air-quality levels in Calgary were hazardous and posed a threat to the health and safety of players on the field. It asked the league to delay the game until such time as those levels dropped to seven or below.

The union also added if the game went ahead, it would bring the matter to the attention of Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety. The CFLPA says a complaint was filed and the OHS is now investigating the matter.

A game can start with an air-quality of seven so long as conditions aren't projected to worsen. But Environment Canada's AQI for northwest Calgary was still at nine four hours after kickoff.

Forest fire smoke drifted into Calgary overnight Saturday. Environment Canada's air quality index at kickoff Monday read nine out of 10, or "high risk."

On Sunday, the CFL and union