Organized by For Our Kids and Canadian Lung Association

Dear Prime Minister,

We, the 21 undersigned organizations, call for the immediate passing of strong oil and gas methane regulations. As organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of children and communities, we recognize the urgent need to reduce methane emissions and emphasize that robust regulations are critical at this moment.

Methane is a powerful climate pollutant, with a global warming potential more than 80 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. It is a major driver of the accelerating climate crisis, which threatens the safety and stability of our communities. Beyond its impact on the climate, methane emissions from oil and gas operations are often accompanied by the release, or burning, of toxic chemicals linked to severe health issues. Communities near these emissions, including schools striving to provide safe learning environments, face increased risks of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health effects.

Methane emissions and flaring also contribute to ground-level ozone and particulate pollution, worsening air quality and increasing rates of asthma attacks, and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Exposure during pregnancy has been linked to adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. These health risks are especially concerning for children, who are particularly vulnerable to air pollution’s harmful effects. A toxic environment should never stand in the way of a child’s development or ability to learn. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, healthy community, breathing clean air free from pollutants.

We applaud your government’s introduction of draft regulations aimed at achieving a 75% reduction in oil and gas methane emissions from 2012 levels by 2030. We urge you to finalize and implement these regulations without delay, ensuring they remain at least as strong as the draft proposal.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your response and to seeing decisive action on this urgent issue.

cc Minister Steven Guilbeault, Minister Mark Holland

Sincerely,

BCTF Divest Now Burnaby Climate Hub
Calgary Climate Hub
Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE)
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), representing 17,500 members
Canadian Environmental Law Association / L’Association canadienne du droit de l’environnement
Canadian Lung Association
Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE)
Climate Action Coalition at the University of Alberta
Climate Emergency Unit
Climate Justice Saskatoon
Force of Nature Alliance, representing 14,000 supporters
For Our Kids, representing 6000 supporters
Fridays For Future Calgary
Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet (GASP) with a membership of 160
Seniors For Climate Action Now! (SCAN!), representing approximately 700 members
Southern Alberta Group for the Environment (SAGE)
Stand.earth Teachers For Future Turtle Island The Council of Canadians
West Coast Climate Action Network (WE-CAN), representing 280 member organizations