Vancouver | Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations | August 13, 2025 — This week, the Government of BC announced it is investing $35 million into the CleanBC Industry Fund, which is a public fund that supports industrial decarbonization, and for which oil and gas projects are eligible. Dr. Melissa Lem, president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and Vancouver family physician, says:

“Why does the BC Government continue to make public investments in the oil and gas sector that is driving climate chaos? Our taxpayer dollars should not be used to greenwash fossil fuel extraction with clean electricity when our healthcare system is already straining under the weight of climate-related illnesses.

“Two weeks ago, the Province committed a $200 million public subsidy to the Cedar LNG export terminal — another example of how people in BC are paying to electrify the private oil, gas and LNG sectors while communities suffer from the health impacts of fracking and fossil fuel production.

“Many parts of the province are under extreme heat warnings, 96 wildfires are burning in BC, and the BC Government is funnelling even more taxpayer dollars into the private oil and gas sector, without regard for the immediate and long-term health consequences for people across this province.

“As physicians, we’re seeing firsthand how climate change is harming our patients through heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems from wildfire smoke, and the mental health toll of climate disasters.

“Instead of subsidizing an industry that contributes to climate change and threatens public health, the BC government should be investing in healthcare infrastructure, renewable energy to electrify communities, and resilience against climate impacts. Investing in the health of British Columbians must come before industry handouts.”

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Media contact:

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