Today, CAPE Alberta released an open letter to federal party leaders responding to the oil and gas industry’s recent “Build Canada Now” campaign. The letter, signed by CAPE Alberta’s co-chairs, challenges industry claims of an energy crisis and urges leaders to reject calls to dismantle climate regulations and fast-track fossil fuel expansion.
“The real crisis facing Canadians isn’t only energy—it’s the rising toll of climate change and pollution on our health,” said Dr. Julia Sawatzky, emergency medicine resident physician and Co-Chair of CAPE Alberta. “As health professionals, we see firsthand the impacts of air pollution, heatwaves, wildfires, and inefficient home energy systems. Any serious energy policy must prioritize the health and well-being of Canadians—not the profits of polluters.”
The full letter can be read below.
22 April 2025
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Québécois
Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, Co-Leaders of the Green Party of Canada
Re: Responding to the oil and gas industry’s “BUILD CANADA NOW” letter
Dear Mr. Carney, Mr. Poilievre, Mr. Singh, Mr. Blanchet, Ms. May, and Mr. Pedneault:
As Canadians prepare for the upcoming election, we see a nation united in its commitment to equity, diversity, and environmental stewardship. We at the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), representing thousands of health professionals across the country, write to address claims made in the recent “Build Canada Now” letter from Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
The industry’s characterization of an “energy crisis” requiring emergency measures appears to be motivated more by concerns over profits than by genuine public interest. Oil and gas executives demand complete relaxation of emission targets and regulations. They call for fast tracking of new fossil fuel projects to increase production and exports. They falsely claim that fossil fuels are affordable and clean, and that Canada’s economy is dependent upon them, while ignoring the serious health threats of environmental pollution and a worsening climate crisis.
Recent research suggests that CEOs’ claims of an emergency are manufactured by the industry to protect profits and avoid stranded assets. Meanwhile, many Canadians see the true crises as the impacts of climate change and the rising cost of living. Many want Canada to keep its critical international commitments regarding climate and children’s health (CAPE, For Our Kids, Results Canada).
CAPE, which represents 36,000 healthcare professionals across Canada,views action on climate change as the single greatest opportunity to improve global health in the 21st century. There is sufficient climate science and education to recognize that a decrease in the production of oil and gas emissions would significantly decrease climate risks to billions worldwide as well as billions of dollars in costs to Canada’s healthcare system at home.
Contrary to industry assertions, fossil fuels are not creating affordability for Canadians. Albertans face the highest utility costs in Canada and receive the lowest score on the 2024 Efficiency Scorecard. Research indicates that volatile fossil fuel prices and industry profit margins are significant drivers of inflation, not environmental regulations.
Canadians know that pollution from the oil and gas industry is not clean. Air pollution is responsible for 8.1 million deaths per year worldwide, with many of these being children. For a sense of scale, 8.1 million people would include populations of the combined Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa metro areas. Add the suffering from chronic illnesses like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases related to pollution, and the numbers are quite staggering.
The industry representatives also want to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, but LNG is not a viable transition fuel. LNG, which is 85-95% methane, releases toxic compounds that are linked to many chronic diseases, including asthma, cancers, heart disease and strokes. Methane traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide, accelerating climate change and its associated health impacts.
Many Canadians are knowledgeable about climate change and want regulations to uphold our global commitments (like the Global Methane Pledge, which Canada champions) to bring emissions down. Recent research shows that the cost of meeting Canada’s entire Global Methane Pledge target would increase the fossil fuel industry’s expenses by a mere 3% before including the benefits from selling saved gas.
At a time when urgent collective action on climate is needed, oil and gas CEOs wield outsized influence over our government. Their greenwashing ads have prompted legislation like Bill C-59, while their reach extends into classrooms and trade associations, shaping narratives to serve industry interests.
The economic arguments presented by industry also require correction. Canada’s GDP is not dependent on oil and gas exports. We are not classified among the 40 countries with such economic dependence. Renewable energy is creating more jobs than fossil fuels, with new renewable positions outpacing new fossil fuel jobs by 50% in 2023. According to an IRENA Mar 2025 report, 2024 set new records in renewable energy—solar, hydro, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, and a tripling of off-grid electricity.
We envision a more constructive role for Canada’s energy sector: pivoting from export-focused fossil fuel production toward developing domestic renewable energy systems, with gas as a backup fuel as needed. This transition would improve energy affordability, enhance air quality, create sustainable jobs, and position Canada as a leader in the growing clean energy economy.
Such a move aligns with economic projections showing a potential increase in GDP of 60% by 2050 through clean energy development. It would also demonstrate true leadership from industry executives who claim to prioritize Canada’s future prosperity and security.
As you consider energy policy positions for the upcoming election, we urge you to prioritize the health of Canadians and our shared environment over industry demands that would lock us into a high-emissions, high-pollution future. Our patients—your constituents—deserve nothing less.
Sincerely,
Stephen Wilton, MD MSc FRCPC
Cardiologist and Associate Professor,
University of Calgary
Co-Chair, CAPE Alberta Regional Committee
sbwilton@ucalgary.ca
Julia Sawatzky, MD
Resident Physician, Emergency Medicine
University of Alberta
Co-Chair, CAPE Alberta Regional Committee