Today, CAPE Saskatchewan released an open letter to all Members of the Legislative Assembly, calling for urgent action to address the province’s growing air pollution health crisis. The letter, signed by CAPE Saskatchewan’s co-chairs, highlights the devastating health impacts of emissions from coal-fired power plants and urges provincial leaders to accelerate the coal phase out, invest in clean energy, and prioritize public health in energy policy decisions.
“The health toll of air pollution in Saskatchewan is staggering—and preventable,” said Dr. Murray Opdahl, family physician and Co-Chair of CAPE Saskatchewan. “Every year, hundreds of lives are cut short and thousands more suffer illness due to emissions from coal-fired power plants. As health professionals, we’re calling on decision-makers to act now to protect the people of this province.”
The full letter can be read below.
25 April 2025
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
Legislative Building
2405 Legislative Drive
Regina, SK S4S 0B3
RE: An urgent appeal – addressing Saskatchewan’s air pollution health crisis
Dear Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly,
We write to urge immediate action on a critical public health issue affecting Saskatchewan residents every day: the harmful health impacts of air pollution from coal-fired power plants in our province.
In 2008, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) released a report titled “No Breathing Room, National Illness Costs of Air Pollution”, documenting the severe health consequences of air pollution across Canada. While many provinces heeded this warning and took decisive action, Saskatchewan continues to operate three coal-fired power plants: Shand, Boundary Dam, and Poplar River Generating Stations.
These facilities generate approximately 30% of our electricity but come at an extraordinary cost to public health. According to the National Pollutant Release Inventory, these plants are Saskatchewan’s largest industrial source of nitrogen dioxide (over 20,000 tonnes annually) and the province’s largest source of sulphur dioxide (over 69,000 tonnes annually).
The health impacts are not theoretical—they are measurable and devastating. The CMA study projected that between now and 2031, Saskatchewan will experience approximately 470,000 minor illness days, over 2,000 emergency department visits, more than 500 hospital admissions, and about 100 premature deaths each year due to air pollution.
Health Canada’s 2021 report “Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Canada” confirmed these findings, attributing 410 premature deaths in Saskatchewan to air pollution in 2016 alone. Without significant emission reductions, this toll continues unabated.
Our seniors bear the heaviest burden of this pollution. Those with pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions face the greatest risk, but the health impacts extend to all residents. Contrary to common belief, cardiovascular effects of air pollution actually cause more deaths than respiratory issues.
These are not anonymous statistics—they represent our parents, grandparents, and vulnerable neighbors whose lives are shortened by preventable pollution.
The science is clear: there is no “safe” level of this pollution. Health impacts occur along a continuum, affecting people even at lower concentrations. Between now and 2031, air pollution in Saskatchewan will be responsible for more than 3 million illness days, over 14,000 hospital emergency visits, and between 700 and 2,800 premature deaths.
Each of these numbers represents real suffering, healthcare costs, lost productivity, and families grieving preventable deaths.
Other provinces have successfully transitioned away from coal. Ontario and Alberta have both phased out coal-fired electricity generation, demonstrating that cleaner alternatives are viable and beneficial.
Saskatchewan has an opportunity to join this progress, protecting both our environment and the health of our citizens. The economic costs of transitioning must be weighed against the enormous health, environmental, and healthcare system costs of inaction.
We respectfully urge you to support policies that will:
- Accelerate the phase-out of coal-fired power plants in Saskatchewan
- Invest in renewable energy alternatives that don’t compromise public health
- Implement stronger air quality standards and monitoring
- Consider the health costs in all energy policy decisions
The evidence is overwhelming, the solutions are available, and your leadership is essential. The health of Saskatchewan residents—particularly our most vulnerable—depends on decisive action now.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and provide additional information as needed.
Sincerely,
Murray Opdahl MD, BSPE, CCFP, FCFP; Co-Chair of CAPE Saskatchewan
Candelaria Aristizabal Londono; Co-Chair of CAPE Saskatchewan