Edmonton | Amiskwacîwâskahikan/Treaty 6 Territory, Home To Métis Nation Of Alberta, Region IV | October 31, 2024 — In response to the Alberta government’s ad campaign, Dr. Joe Vipond, emergency physician and CAPE past president, said:

“The UCP government’s latest ‘Scrap the Cap’ ad campaign is reckless and deeply misleading. As a frontline physician witnessing the escalating health complications from climate-induced illnesses in the ER, it is infuriating to see this kind of disinformation. 

“The evidence is clear: the oil and gas sector is the largest contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing these emissions is crucial for protecting public health, and implementing an emissions cap on oil and gas is one of the most effective strategies to achieve this.

“Alberta’s claim that the cap would harm our economy while doing nothing for global emissions is a dangerous fallacy. In truth, it is inaction that threatens our future. Prolonging our dependence on fossil fuels jeopardizes the climate and the well-being of families across the country and beyond. 

“Without urgent climate action, including a strong and fair emissions cap, the health and economic costs will continue to rise—from job losses due to extreme weather to the billions we will spend addressing the fallout of a degraded environment. 

“Rather than stoking fear, Alberta’s government should prioritize building a resilient, low-carbon economy that focuses on health, good jobs, and a sustainable planet.

“The emissions cap offers a clear path forward for transitioning to renewable energy. It will also unlock vast opportunities for innovation and job creation without sacrificing our health, the environment, or the future of generations to come.”

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CAPE media contact:

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