Halifax (Kjipuktuk) | Traditional, Unceded Territory of the of the Mi’kmaq People | June 11, 2025 — The Nova Scotia committee of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) has today issued an urgent warning to Premier Tim Houston regarding the serious health risks that uranium exploration and mining would have for the province’s residents.
The physician association’s urgent appeal comes in response to the government’s requests for proposals for uranium exploration in three rural areas of the province. It warns that Nova Scotia’s geography makes uranium mining particularly dangerous for residents, as the province’s dense population puts uranium exploration and mining much closer to towns and communities. Uranium is also highly soluble in water, making exploration and mining in areas with heavy rainfall—like Nova Scotia—especially hazardous.
Dr. Laurette Geldenhuys, speaking on behalf of CAPE Nova Scotia, states, “As physicians, we are deeply concerned that the government is proceeding with uranium exploration despite the well-documented health risks. The evidence is clear—uranium exposure is linked to serious health conditions including kidney failure, lung cancer, birth defects, and various cancers. Rural communities near exploration sites will bear the heaviest health impacts.”
Uranium presents unique health hazards as it is both chemically toxic and radioactive. Its decay produces radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas can travel hundreds of kilometres in the air, emitting radioactive particles as it moves. Studies show that women and children face disproportionately higher health risks from radiation exposure, with pregnant women and developing fetuses being particularly vulnerable.
“The government’s decision to lift the ban on uranium exploration and mining was made without proper consultation with healthcare experts. This move not only threatens public health but will place additional strain on our already overburdened healthcare system and make it harder to attract and retain physicians and nurses to work in the province,” Dr. Geldenhuys adds.
CAPE Nova Scotia is urging the government to reinstate the Uranium Exploration and Mining Prohibition Act and to prioritize the long-term health and well-being of all Nova Scotians over perceived short-term economic gains. Today’s letter is CAPE Nova Scotia’s second urgent appeal to the Houston government following a letter in February, to which the government responded by dismissing the concerns.
CAPE Nova Scotia has released two new factsheets to help Nova Scotians better understand the health and environmental risks associated with uranium mining and to critically assess claims made by the government and mining industry.
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Factsheets:
- The health risks of uranium exploration and mining in Nova Scotia
- “Safe uranium mining?” Nova Scotia physicians respond to industry claims
Media contact:
Tynette Deveaux
Atlantic Regional Coordinator | CAPE
647-762-9168
tynette@cape.ca or media@cape.ca
About CAPE:
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is a non-partisan, physician-led organization working at the intersection of human health, justice, and the environment. See cape.ca