18 April 2025

Dear federal party leaders,

We, the 31 undersigned organizations, call for the immediate passing of strong federal oil and gas methane regulations. As organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of children, communities and our environment in Canada, 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.

Should your party form government, we urge you to finalize and implement without delay the draft regulations introduced in 2023 to reduce oil and gas methane emissions by 75%. We further urge you to develop rules to achieve near-zero emissions by 2035, in line with BC’s target, and standards coming into force in Europe. The benefits will far outweigh the costs—protecting public health and the air our children breathe, while showing them that their leaders care about their future. Bold leadership can’t wait.
While Canadians are looking for leadership to address growing global economic challenges, many of us understand that planetary health cannot take a backseat. We’ll be watching to see which leaders are prepared to tackle methane pollution head-on—because we have a rare opportunity to cut harmful emissions, build a healthier future, and ensure our children are not left with an uninhabitable Earth.

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

For the full letter, click … here