Edmonton | Amiskwacîwâskahikan/Treaty 6 Territory, home to Métis Nation Of Alberta, Region IV | April 24, 2025 — The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) has released an open letter to federal party leaders challenging the oil and gas industry’s recent “Build Canada Now” campaign. The letter, signed by CAPE Alberta’s co-chairs, disputes 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 open letter responds to the oil and gas industry’s “Build Canada Now” campaign, which characterizes Canada as facing an “energy crisis” requiring emergency measures. CAPE Alberta argues this characterization appears motivated more by concerns over industry profits than genuine public interest.

In their letter, the health professionals highlight several key points:

• Recent research suggests that industry claims of an emergency are manufactured to protect profits and avoid stranded assets.
• Contrary to industry assertions, fossil fuels are not creating affordability for Canadians, with Albertans facing the highest utility costs in Canada.
• Air pollution is responsible for 8.1 million deaths per year worldwide, with many of these being children.
• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is not a viable transition fuel, as it releases toxic compounds linked to chronic diseases.
• Renewable energy is creating more jobs than fossil fuels, with new renewable positions outpacing new fossil fuel jobs by 50% in 2023.

“CAPE represents thousands of  healthcare professionals across Canada who view action on climate change as the single greatest opportunity to improve global health in the 21st century,” said Dr. Stephen Wilton, Cardiologist, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, and Co-Chair of CAPE Alberta. “We envision a more constructive role for Canada’s energy sector: pivoting from export-focused fossil fuel production toward developing domestic renewable energy systems that would improve energy affordability, enhance air quality, create sustainable jobs, and position Canada as a leader in the growing clean energy economy.”

The letter comes as Canadians prepare for an upcoming federal election, with CAPE Alberta urging party leaders to prioritize the health of Canadians and the environment over industry demands that would “lock us into a high-emissions, high-pollution future.”

CAPE Alberta proposes that transitioning to clean energy aligns with economic projections showing a potential increase in GDP of 60% by 2050 through clean energy development, while also addressing the health impacts of climate change and pollution.

“As health professionals, we’re calling on federal leaders to recognize that the true crises facing Canadians are the impacts of climate change and the rising cost of living,” added Dr. Sawatzky. “Any serious energy policy must address these issues rather than doubling down on fossil fuel expansion that threatens public health.”

The full letter can be read here.

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Media contact:

Reykia Fick
Communications Director | Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
647-762-9168
media@cape.ca