Obituary – Dr. Liisa Jantunen
Dear colleagues and friends,
With profound sadness, we learned that our colleague and a valuable PIPSC member, Dr. Liisa Jantunen, passed away on March 4, 2026.
Liisa worked as a Research Scientist in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate. She first joined the Department as a co-op student in 1992 and went on to build a distinguished career in environmental science.
She was nationally and internationally recognized as a leading expert in contaminants and microplastics research. Her work advanced understanding of the environmental fate of these pollutants in support of ECCC’s Air Pollution Program, the Chemicals Management Plan, the Oil Sands Monitoring Program, the Canadian Plastics Science Agenda, the Northern Contaminants Program, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, as well as other northern initiatives.
Her research also contributed to key international efforts, including the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and its Global Monitoring Plan, the United Nations Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, and the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme.
Liisa had a deep passion for the Arctic and spent much of her career conducting fieldwork there, both on land and at sea, combining her love of travel with her dedication to scientific discovery.
Liisa was also known for her love of music and enjoyed attending concerts whenever she could. An avid mountain biker, she could often be found exploring the trails on weekends. Her warmth and dedication to her community were evident when she founded a support and networking group for single mothers in Barrie, Ontario. Above all, Liisa was a deeply proud and devoted mother.
Her death is a profound loss to her colleagues at PIPSC, as well as the Canadian and international atmospheric science community. She will be dearly missed, both professionally and personally.
If you find yourself needing support during this time, please know that there are resources available for you. The Employee Assistance Program provides unlimited 24-hour access by telephone to a trained mental health professional for crisis counselling and advice. The EAP is a voluntary and confidential service. You can reach the EAP by calling 1-800-268-7708.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Stay safe, stay well!
Respectfully,
Waheed Khan
President, National Consultation Team