Dubai & Montreal, Dec 7, 2023 – In response to the Canadian government’s framework to cap oil and gas pollution to 35%-38% below 2019 levels (equivalent to 15-20% below 2005 levels – compared to Canada’s national emissions reductions target of 45% below 2005 levels):
 

Robb Barnes, Climate Program Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment said:

“This announcement marks a significant turning point. Canada is the first major fossil fuel-producing country to commit to capping emissions from oil and gas production. We recognize the Canadian government’s leadership on this and urge other countries to follow. 

“However, this proposed cap is not enough to protect people’s health. Earlier this week, CAPE revealed that a fair oil and gas emissions cap of 45% below 2005 levels – in line with the broader Canadian target – could prevent 4800 premature deaths in Canada in a decade. This new announcement is less than half of that level, thereby putting lives at undue risk.

“Finally, it needs to be implemented rapidly. Canadians have already waited years for a strong and fair cap; we need to ensure an ambitious cap is passed without delay.”
 

Dr. Courtney Howard, Global Climate and Health Alliance Vice-Chair and a former president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment said:

“Health is the human face of climate change. This summer my community of Yellowknife, along with 70% of the population of the Northwest Territories and the 100 bed hospital where I work, were evacuated due to severe wildfires, with some communities experiencing 3 seasons of smoke. Mother Earth’s vital signs are becoming unstable. Heading into COP28 over 40 million healthcare workers globally issued a call to accelerate the phase out of fossil fuels to protect health and health systems. I’m proud that Canada is the first major fossil fuel producing country to commit to capping emissions from oil and gas emissions. However, we know that slow CPR doesn’t work. This policy must be implemented immediately and rapidly strengthened.”
 

Patricia Clermont, Ph.D, Coordinator of the Association québécoise des médecins pour l’environnement (AQME) said:

“We are reassured that the Canadian government is finally announcing a draft cap-and-trade framework for the oil and gas sector, as we were beginning to fear that this would not happen. However, we remain concerned about the – necessary – speed with which concrete regulations must follow and be put in place, as we cannot be left with draft regulations for another undefined date. We also remain concerned about the insufficient ambition of the targets to be reached and the mechanism by which they will actually be achieved. The efforts made by people and communities must not be wiped out by offsets or credit trading opportunities that would enable polluting industries to continue to hinder vital climate action. At a time when climate change is accelerating more than ever and producing devastating effects on people’s health – and also in the name of planetary health – the Canadian government has a responsibility, also in the name of planetary health, to deliver a credible, effective and rapidly implemented system so that we achieve the most effective climate response possible.”