British Columbia: Over 300 health professionals have expressed their concerns about the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in British Columbia through an open letter. They argue that the industry’s expansion is exacerbating the province’s healthcare challenges. According to the letter, the LNG industry is inflating healthcare costs by contributing to climate change, worsening physician shortages, and leading to more emergency room closures. Fracking, a method used to extract natural gas, is associated with local health issues, and households using natural gas are also facing increased healthcare expenses. Dr. Melissa Lem, a family physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), notes that the LNG industry is driving doctors away from their practices, with several recently leaving Dawson Creek, a town heavily involved in fracking. Additionally, doctors have observed higher rates of chronic diseases and substance abuse linked to LNG work camps, with some even installing water filters at home due to concerns about water quality. The letter also points to recent extreme weather events, such as wildfires and heatwaves, that have significantly impacted healthcare costs in B.C. and Canada. In response, the letter calls for the government to pause new fracking projects, enhance air and water quality regulations, support workers and Indigenous communities, and improve healthcare support systems.
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