Health Collaborative Submission to the Federal/Provincial Climate Working Group on Specific Mitigating Opportunities: Electricity Sector

This submission is being made on behalf of 15 health organizations that represent doctors, nurses, public health professionals, public health advocates, and health care workers from across the country.

We are united in the view that climate change is threatening the health and well-being of Canadians and people around the world and that Canada should take immediate action to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

We also recognize that coal-fired electricity generation — a singularly high emitter of greenhouse gases among our energy sources — is also a leading emitter of several air contaminants and persistent toxics that are harmful to human health.

As such, we urge the Government of Canada to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2025 as a critical and immediate action toward achieving Canada’s emissions commitments and as a means to reap significant health benefits for Canadians.