LNG, Fracking and Healthcare System Costs in British Columbia

The document argues that the LNG and fracking industries in British Columbia increase healthcare costs by exacerbating climate change, causing local health issues, and contributing to physician shortages in regions like Dawson Creek. It calls for a moratorium on new fracking, stricter pollution regulations, and a phase-out of natural gas in buildings by 2025.

• The expansion of the LNG industry is linked to increased healthcare costs resulting from climate-driven extreme weather events. The authors cite the 2021 Western Canada heat dome, which killed 619 people in BC, and an atmospheric river and flooding event that cost over $450 million and disrupted medical care.
• The LNG industry is accused of contributing to physician shortages in the Peace Region. Specifically, at least seven doctors reportedly closed their practices and left Dawson Creek, citing the health and community impacts of the LNG industry as their primary motivation.
• Fracking operations are associated with direct local health risks, including the release of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. The authors link the industry to higher rates of childhood leukemia, birth defects, heart disease, asthma, and premature death.
• The use of natural gas in residential buildings is linked to indoor air pollution and increased healthcare costs. Children in homes with gas stoves are reported to have a 42% higher risk of asthma, and asthma overall costs the BC healthcare system more than $50 million annually.
• The LNG industry is associated with significant social costs in the Peace Region, including increased crime, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexually transmitted infections driven by an influx of transient workers. It is also noted that mental illness costs the BC economy over $6 billion per year.

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} }