CAPE’s Health and Economic Policy program brings together a wide coalition of actors to drive a fundamental shift in how society understands, perceives, and acts on the health impacts of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels and gas-powered vehicles are the leading cause of catastrophic climate change, with fuel combustion-related air pollution leading to millions of deaths annually. 

Government policies to protect our environment and stop greenwashing are often characterized as expensive, yet studies suggest that these policies can offer a net economic benefit. Inaction, on the other hand, will cost billions of dollars in health care, infrastructure adaptation and repair, and lost economic activity due to missed workdays. 

Meanwhile, fossil fuel marketing portrays these harmful products and industries as innocuous and desirable. From eye-catching billboards touting the need for more oil drilling to covert funding of educational materials in public schools, the fossil fuel industry works hard to influence public opinion, sow doubt about climate change, and promote its agenda.

The Health and Economic Policy program works towards ending the fossil fuel industry’s influence on society—an essential step in protecting human health and the environment for generations to come.

Our work

Fossil Fuel Ads Make Us Sick!

Tobacco advertisements were banned when there was a scientific consensus on their harm to public health. Burning fossil fuels pose a similar threat to our health and wellbeing—now and for future generations. So why are fossil fuel companies allowed to advertise? We need a ban on fossil fuel ads—doctors’ orders.

We also brought the health case right to Parliament with the tabling of Bill C-372, The Fossil Fuel Advertising Act, which proposed to ban all fossil fuel advertising in Canada. Together with physicians and allied healthcare workers, we met with dozens of politicians to demand their support for this bill.

Around the world, momentum is building for fossil fuel ad bans. In addition to major victories, we’ve seen endorsements from UN Secretary General António Guterres and World Health Organization’s Public Health and Climate Director, Dr. Maria Neira.

Municipal Ad Bans

We have seen exciting wins and movements at the municipal level as well. Toronto Councillor Dianne Saxe passed two bills restricting fossil fuel advertising on city transit and property. Soon after, Montreal City Council banned oil-related ads on their transit system, and Bixi, Montreal’s bike-share company, removed all ads from Pathways Alliance in 2023. In 2024, Ottawa passed a motion directing city staff to research and report options for addressing fossil fuel advertising on city property. 

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To learn more about our campaign, the health costs of burning fossil fuels, and more, click here. 

Greenwashing and Competition Law

We successfully advocated for new greenwashing regulations. These amendments to Canada’s Competition Act via Bill C-59 require companies to provide evidence for their green claims. In response to the passing of this legislation, fossil fuel companies and associations, including Pathways Alliance and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), scrubbed many or all of their environmental claims from their digital platforms.

This comes after our collaboration with partners in filing three complaints against fossil fuel companies and organizations to the Competition Bureau, which have been taken up for investigation, along with multiple complaints to Advertising Standards Canada.

To learn more about the fossil fuel industry’s greenwashing and how you can report misleading and false advertising, check out our report Greenwashing Big Oil & Gas: The Fossil Fuel Deception Playbook here and our toolkit here.

Fossil Fuel Influence in Schools

In February 2025, we published a report exposing the widespread influence of fossil fuel companies in our schools. From shaping educational materials to directly funding events and field trips, the report highlights how fossil fuel companies influence curriculum and children’s understanding of climate change, extractive industries, and potential solutions. Read the full report here, and the summary here.

The Health and Economic Impacts of Climate

Mobilizing Doctors for Climate and Health

Alongside international partners, we co-published a toolkit called Fossil ads are bad for our health: How can healthcare professionals fight fossil ads? Check it out here.

Are you a healthcare provider that wants to get involved? Email us at nola@cape.ca

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