Vancouver | Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations | November 27, 2024 — This evening, the City of Vancouver voted to maintain gas out of new buildings, protecting the health of Vancouverites and using science, health, and sustainability rationales to make an informed decision.

In response, Dr. Melissa Lem, President of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), says:

“This decision is about so much more than protecting the health of Vancouverites; it is about respecting the significant body of science, health and sustainability studies demonstrating that continuing to tie in new buildings to gas is a dangerous path. 

“Research indicates that Vancouver’s natural gas has disproportionately high levels of benzene, a known pollutant linked to various cancers, in North America — up to 50 times more than other cities. Due to its toxicity, the World Health Organization suggests there are no safe exposure levels, and Health Canada has identified benzene as a priority for an updated human health risk assessment.

“The majority of natural gas used to heat homes in Vancouver also comes from hydraulic fracturing that releases harmful air pollutants and other contaminants, which studies show, have negative human health effects.

“We know that fossil fuels — such as so-called natural gas — are the major driver of climate impacts, like wildfires, heat domes and atmospheric floods — which carry significant human health implications.

“With this decision, Vancouver has demonstrated that it cares about its residents’ health, and that mitigating carbon and air pollution take priority over the short-term interests of a sunsetting industry.”

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Resources:

Earlier this week, CAPE sent the City of Vancouver Mayor and Council this open letter, signed by approximately 150 healthcare professionals who are mostly doctors and nurses within Vancouver.

Media contact:

Allison Murray
Communications Consultant
On behalf of CAPE
E allison@murraycommunications.org
T 604-442-1846