Clearing the Air on ‘Natural Gas’: Health Science Meets Policy Action
November 4, 2025
Natural gas poses a growing threat to public health. Research shows that across its entire lifecycle, gas exposes communities to hazardous air pollutants, methane, and other by-products linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, and developmental harms.
In this webinar, scientists Dr. Kelsey Bilsback and Dr. Sebastian Rowland from PSE Healthy Energy join CAPE to review the latest evidence on the health impacts of natural gas and discuss what health professionals can do to protect patients.
Clean Air, Healthy Kids & Communities: The Case for Strong Methane Regulations
October 24, 2025
While carbon dioxide often dominates discussions about climate change, methane warrants equal attention due to its abundance and long-term warming impacts. Methane emissions from oil and gas operations not only trap huge amounts of heat in our atmosphere, but are also released with toxic co-pollutants that pose significant threats to our health.
In this webinar co-hosted by CAPE, For Our Kids, and the Canadian Lung Association, experts Ari Pottens, Tim Doty, Dr. Joe Vipond, and Aaron Freeman discuss the science, policy, and health dimensions of methane emissions. They outline why methane is a dangerous super-pollutant and highlight the importance of near-term climate action for our health and environment.
Polluting Education: Unpacking The Report
April 9, 2025
Did you know fossil fuel companies are shaping what kids learn about climate change in schools? A new report from CAPE and For Our Kids, “Polluting Education: The Influence of Fossil Fuels on Children’s Education in Canada,” reveals that at least 39 oil and gas companies are funding or developing K-12 environmental and climate-related materials in our schools. These resources downplay the fossil fuel industry’s role in climate change, exaggerate oil and gas’ pro-environmental actions, emphasize individual responsibility over systemic solutions, and shift responsibility away from fossil fuel polluters.
This webinar and panel discussion featured beloved children’s entertainer Raffi, climate and mental health expert Britt Wray, CAPE President Dr. Melissa Lem and the report’s authors, Anne Keary and Jennifer Chesnut. Together, they unpacked the report’s findings, explored how fossil fuel influence is undermining climate education, and discussed how we can take action and demand fossil fuel free education for our kids.
Canada’s Emissions Cap: What’s Next? Delivering for Health and Climate in a Shifting Political Landscape
January 30, 2025
As political dynamics shift and the climate crisis accelerates, the urgency to implement strong and fair regulations on oil and gas pollution has never been greater.
On January 29th, CAPE hosted a webinar with health and climate experts to explore the health benefits of a strong Emissions Cap and examine the political landscape shaping this critical climate measure. The discussion was rich with insights, offering valuable perspectives and actionable steps to advance Canada’s climate policy.
Key takeaways:
- Public pressure is key to driving change. Engaging local communities and businesses with elected officials is vital for stronger action.
- We cannot be healthy unless we are well-housed and well-fed. Climate change threatens both, while also worsening infectious diseases and mental health crises. Over 8 million people die globally from air pollution each year, with 15,000 Canadians among them.
- Environmental issues — particularly climate change — should not be politicized. We all need to work together to address these challenges, ensuring that future generations are not burdened with the consequences of our actions today.
- Environmental policies need to consider the complexities of intersectionality and go beyond surface-level solutions. Advocacy for marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous ones, is needed as is the transformative power of integrating Indigenous knowledge into environmental policies.
Access the presentation slides:
- Health Impacts of Oil & Gas | Dr. Mili Roy
- Implications for Fort McKay’s Air Quality and Health | Dr. Jeffrey Brook
- Oil and Gas Emissions Cap: The Path Forward | Aly Hyder Ali
30 Years of CAPE: Insights from COP29
December 12, 2024
As part of CAPE’s 30th anniversary celebrations, an intimate evening gathering was held on November 23, 2024, in Toronto, hosted by Interim Executive Director Sabrina Bowman. The event brought together supporters, donors, and advocates for environmental health to reflect on three decades of impact and discuss the path forward.
A highlight of the evening was an engaging talk by Dr. Joe Vipond (past-president and current board member, 2024 winner of the CMA’s award for political advocacy for his work addressing the health impacts of climate change) and Dr. Mili Roy (CAPE Ontario) who had recently returned from COP29, the UN climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. They shared powerful insights into the critical role of health in global climate negotiations, discussed the latest developments from COP29, and explored what these outcomes mean for communities across Canada.
The Road to Clean Air: Webinar on Alberta’s Coal Phase-Out & What’s Next
October 24, 2024
On October 24th, the 30th Anniversary webinar, “The Road to Clean Air,” brought together advocates and experts to celebrate the success of Alberta’s coal phase-out campaign. Attendees heard about the transformation of Alberta’s energy system, which, until the early 2000s, relied on coal for up to 80% of its power. Following persistent advocacy, the Alberta government committed in 2015 to phase out coal by 2030. Remarkably, this goal was achieved ahead of schedule, with the last coal plant closing in June 2024. This historic achievement demonstrates the impact of collective action in reducing pollution and advancing clean energy. The event featured discussions on the challenges and victories of this journey and explored future efforts to phase out coal across Canada and beyond.
Milestones & Memories: Celebrating 30 Years of CAPE
July 24, 2024
“Milestones and Memories” took us on a journey through the pivotal moments that have shaped our organization. From our founding days to our latest campaigns, participants learned about our legacy of advocating for the health of people and the planet. The webinar featured speakers who were instrumental in various phases of CAPE’s evolution, sharing their stories to bring CAPE’s past, present, and future to life.
We were honoured to have a lineup of distinguished speakers who have been integral to CAPE’s success. Interviewed by our host, Dr. Warren Bell, these individuals shared their unique experiences and insights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs that have defined our organization: Dr. Tee Guidotti, Dr. Kapil Khatter, Gideon Forman, Dr. Hilary de Veber, Scott Findlay, Dr. John Howard, Dr. John O’Connor, Dr. Courtney Howard, Dr. Trevor Hancock, and Dr. Ojistoh Horn.
Making Sense (and Cents) of Hydrogen Production
June 25, 2024
Blue, black, pink and green—hydrogen has a rainbow of generating sources, from oil and gas to nuclear and wind energy. This online presentation and discussion, hosted by CAPE New Brunswick, explores the hydrogen rainbow and whether hydrogen makes sense for decarbonizing the energy sector—from a scientific, engineering, and cost perspective. Health concerns are also raised.
The presentation focuses particularly on green hydrogen produced by wind energy, which is taking off in so-called Atlantic Canada. Does the green hydrogen hype line up with the facts? Or is it more greenwashing? Please watch to find out.
Our presenter, Moe Qureshi, is the director of climate research and policy with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Code Red for Climate
June 5, 2024
The urgency of responding to climate disasters while tackling their root causes has never been clearer.
CAPE launched its newest initiative, ‘Code Red for Climate,’ with a special webinar on Wednesday, June 5 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.
The webinar, featuring special guests Dr. Courtney Howard, Dr. Sehjal Bhargava, and Louise Comeau, PhD, explored wildfires, heat impacts, policy solutions, and effective climate communications during this challenging time. The presentations included work on extreme heat as part of the National Adaptation Strategy, a review of recent findings from Re.Climate on how to communicate climate change, and connecting the experiences and learnings from the Yellowknife wildfires.
Code Red for Climate is a special, summer-long initiative highlighting a health response to the climate crisis. This is a call to action, borrowing from the hospital emergency code that denotes fire and smoke. Now more than ever, we need policymakers to:
STOP fossil fuel disinformation,
DROP climate-warming emissions, and
ROLL out near-term solutions to save lives now.
What COP28 Means for Action on Climate and Health
February 29, 2024
It’s been about two months since the 28th United Nations Climate Conference – known as COP28 – wrapped up in Dubai. Many of the decisions made there will have impacts on CAPE’s work in 2024 and beyond.
CAPE was fortunate to have a three-person team in Dubai – past-president Dr. Joe Vipond, former president Dr. Courtney Howard, and Robb Barnes (Director, Healthy Futures Climate Program). We’d like to invite you to a wide-ranging discussion on COP28’s outcomes and what they mean for our work together.
As with other UN Climate Conferences, COP28 was many things. It signaled major steps forward on international commitments and frustrating inaction on others. It featured landmark climate policies from the Canadian government but not at the speed and scale CAPE has been pushing for. It shone a spotlight on the growing power of the global climate and health community while underscoring the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists.
We hosted this webinar to share our observations, hear your questions, and prepare for climate work in 2024 and beyond.
Air & Health
April 13, 2022
Part 1: Forest Fires
Dr. Emily Groot is a Sudbury-based public health physician with a breadth of experience. Dr. Groot has recently transitioned into the role of program director of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s Public Health & Preventive Medicine residency program.
Part 2: “The Air We Breathe: I Feel Like I Don’t Have Any Control Over That”
Dr. Jane McArthur is CAPE’s toxics campaign director whose dissertation research focused on how women who were employed at the Ambassador Bridge understood their health risks in relation to the pollution they were exposed to.
PaRx: Prescribing Nature for Personal & Planetary Health
February 8, 2022
Learn about PaRx, Canada’s national nature prescription initiative, powered by the BC Parks Foundation. Featuring Dr. Melissa Lem, President-Elect of CAPE and Director of Park Prescriptions for the BC Parks Foundation. Dr. Lem is a family physician based in Vancouver. She is joined by Brooklyn Rawlyk and Sehjal Bhargava (medical learners from the University of Saskatchewan)
1 Hour to End BC’s Fossil Fuel Subsidies
December 1, 2021
From the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE), Dogwood, and Stand.Earth:
In one hour, we collectively raised our voices to tell the BC government to end fossil fuel subsidies in BC in a letter-writing event modeled after Amnesty International’s campaigns. We started the session with brief presentations about the current BC oil and gas royalty review and health impacts of fracking. By the end of the hour, participants composed a compelling letter to send to the BC oil and gas royalty review.
Speakers: Sven Biggs, Canadian Oil and Gas Programs Director, STAND.Earth Dr. Deborah Curry, Committee Member, BC-CAPE Alexandra Woodsworth, Campaigns Manager, Dogwood Moderator: Dr. Melissa Lem, President-Elect, CAPE
The Environment, Public Health, and Sprawl
October 7, 2021
Join Phil Pothen, an environmental lawyer and Ontario environment program manager for Environmental Defence, and Michael Schwandt, Medical Health Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, for a panel on how sprawl harms health and the planet, and leave with concrete steps you can take to build towards more sustainable communities.
Talk to Your MLA about BC’s Unnatural Gas
September 23, 2021
The natural gas industry continues to grow in BC. In response, we are calling for a moratorium on fracking expansion, support for a just transition for workers, investments in zero-emissions buildings, and an end to all fossil-fuel subsidies. This call to action is urgently needed in face of the ongoing climate crisis.
To accomplish them, one of the most important next steps is to talk to your local MLA about the health harms of natural gas. We’ve organized a training webinar for you that will explain the process clearly, from scheduling and leading a meeting with your MLA, to background about the local and global health harms of the LNG industry in BC.
Speakers: Anjali Helferty, PhD, Dr. Melissa Lem, Dr. Ulrike Meyer, Dr. Warren Bell
Environmental Justice x Health: A three-part series
Presented by the BC Chapter of CAPE and CFMS-HEART
Part I: Environmental Racism – April 11, 2021
Join us for a discussion about how the legacy of environmental racism threatens the health of Black and Indigenous communities within Canada—and learn how to advocate for justice.
With Dr. Ingrid Waldron and Dr. Ojistoh Horn
Moderated by Dr. Melissa Lem, CAPE President-Elect and Celia Walker, Co-chair of CFMS-HEART
Part II: Whistleblowing: Putting Health First – May 2, 2021
From toxic landfills in Nova Scotia to pipelines in BC, unhealthy policies and pollution are putting Canadian lives at risk. Join us as we cover breaking topics including environmental racism, whistleblowing, and Indigenous rights—and be inspired to take action now.
With Dr. John O’Connor, Karen Hosford, and Dr. Anjali Helferty Moderated by Dr. Warren Bell and Owen Luo, Co-chair of CFMS-HEART
Part III: Environmental x Indigenous Justice – May 15, 2021
Learn how fossil fuel development threatens the rights and health of Indigenous peoples in Canada—and how the health voice can help fight back.
With Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham) and Elder François Paulette
Moderated by Dr. Margaret McGregor and Austin Heffernan
Divestment Webinar Series
CAPE, For Our Kids, MD Moms, and the Green is Health OMA Medical Interest Group have teamed up to bring you this important divestment webinar series. We highlight the impact of organizational divestment, and steps and strategies that we undertook to ask the Ontario Medical Association to divest, and the exciting outcome of our efforts. Panelists include Adam Scott from Shift Action, and Emma Pullman and Paul Finch from the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union. The latter has successfully divested since 2014, and has made gains for their Union in doing so!
Investing in a Healthy Future with Adam Scott, Emma Pullman & Paul Finch – February 18, 2021
Lastly, we bring you a webinar about personal divestment, with Tim Nash (the Sustainable Economist) taking the helm to talk to you about your personal finances, and the impact you can have by divesting. We also give you options to speak with your bank and advocate for divestment, through the Bank Switch Campaign. We hope that you take the time to watch this informative series and that it helps you with your divestment goals!
Personal Divestment with Tim Nash – March 11, 2021
Book Talk
“A Good War” with Seth Klein – February 11, 2021
COVID-19 Webinar Series
The Climate Movement and Coronavirus: A public health discussion – March 2020
COVID-19 et le changement climatique: Que faire maintenant ? – April 9, 2020
The Role of Planetary Health in a Healthy Recovery – May 2020
Covid 19 and Climate Change – Where do we go from here? – May 2020
Climate and Health Webinar Series
Climate Health Leaders: The next generation – May 2020
Change the Systems: Food and Health Care – May 2020
Eco-Anxiety, Climate Change, and Mental Health – June 2020
Climate change and social justice – June 2020
General
Fractures in the Bridge – June 2020
Advocacy and Campaigning – June 2020
Pesticides Indoors – June 2020