LNG, Fracking and Healthcare System Costs in British Columbia

A statement from a group of doctors and nurses, represented by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), urging the British Columbia government to halt the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industries due to significant risks to public health, healthcare system costs, and climate targets.

• The LNG industry contributes to global heating through methane release, which has over 80 times the warming potential of CO2 over 20 years. The authors argue that continued approval of LNG projects makes it "virtually impossible" for British Columbia to meet its targets of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050.
• Climate-related events have already caused severe healthcare disruptions and costs in British Columbia and Canada. Examples include the 2021 Western Canada heat dome, which killed 619 people in BC, and the 2021 atmospheric river and flooding, which cost over $450 million and interrupted healthcare supply chains.
• The LNG industry is linked to physician shortages in specific areas. In Dawson Creek, at least seven doctors closed their practices and left the community, citing the health and community impacts of the LNG industry as their primary reasons.
• Fracking operations are associated with direct local health risks, including the release of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. Scientific reviews suggest these activities are linked to higher rates of childhood leukemia, birth defects, heart disease, asthma, and premature death.
• The use of natural gas in homes increases healthcare costs and health risks. Children in homes with gas stoves have a 42% higher risk of asthma. In Vancouver, natural gas appliances account for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
• The LNG industry generates high social costs, including increased crime, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexually transmitted infections due to the influx of transient workers. It also contributes to mental health issues and violates the human rights of Indigenous peoples when development occurs without free, prior, and informed consent.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). LNG, Fracking and Healthcare System Costs in British Columbia. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LNG-and-Healthcare-Campaign-Letter.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. LNG, Fracking and Healthcare System Costs in British Columbia. n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LNG-and-Healthcare-Campaign-Letter.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=LNG, Fracking and Healthcare System Costs in British Columbia |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LNG-and-Healthcare-Campaign-Letter.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentndlng, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{LNG, Fracking and Healthcare System Costs in British Columbia}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LNG-and-Healthcare-Campaign-Letter.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }