The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment welcomed the recommendations from the federal government’s Just Transition Task Force, noting that phasing out coal-fired electricity is one of the fastest ways to dramatically reduce carbon pollution while protecting Canadians’ from the health impacts of air pollution. The association called for swift action on the task force’s recommendations to ensure that workers and families in coal-dependent communities are supported throughout the shift toward cleaner energy. Read CAPE’s full statement below:
Media Release: March 11, 2019 — The Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities, struck by Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change in April 2018, released its report today. The Task Force identifies a series of recommendations that touch on the need to: build just transition provisions into labour and environmental law; fund pension bridging for workers; fund for education, retraining and re-employment for affected workers; and provide funding for affected communities to re-develop and transform their economies.
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) has been a vocal advocate for the accelerated closure of coal-fired power plants across Canada for several years because, on a global scale, they account for nearly one third of of GHGs from all human activities worldwide. The closure of coal plants is seen as one of the fastest ways to dramatically reduce global emissions of GHGs.
“With alarming news from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that we have only 11 years to make the emission reductions needed to prevent catastrophic levels of climate change, the rapid closure of coal plants is more urgent then ever” offered CAPE’s Executive Director, Kim Perrotta. “If Canada is to effectively advocate for the closure of coal plants around the world, it must demonstrate that it is willing and able to do so at home.”
In 2017, there were 36 coal-fired electricity generating units operating at 16 coal plants in four provinces in Canada. An accelerated phase-out of those coal plants could produce up to $4.9 billion in air pollution-related health benefits for Canadians.
“The air pollutants from coal plants produce chronic heart and lung diseases including lung cancer and asthma, and acute heart and lung ailments that result in premature deaths, hospital admissions, and emergency room visits” explained emergency physician and CAPE Board Member, Dr. Joe Vipond. “Our children, our elderly, and those with health conditions such as asthma are the ones most at risk. The workers in the coal mines and coal plants also experience significant health impacts. The accelerated closure of coal plants in Canada will save lives, improve the health of Canadians, and cut health care costs right here at home.”
“As health professionals, we understand that unemployment and poverty can have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of people” noted emergency physician and CAPE President, Dr. Courtney Howard. “For this reason, it is essential that an accelerated coal phase-out is paired with a just transition plan that safeguards the health of workers, their families, and their communities. As we envision and create the low-carbon economy needed to protect our children’s future, we must ensure that fossil fuel workers and their communities are supported. This is why we are calling for swift action on the recommendations contained in the Task Force report and transition funding in the next federal budget.”
Recommended links
- Government of Canada welcomes report from Just Transition Task Force for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities
- A just and fair transition for Canadian coal power workers and communities
- What we heard from Canadian coal power workers and communities
- Corbett talks Just Transition Task Force for coal phase out
- Lois Corbett appointed co-chair of federal government’s Just Transition Task Force for coal phase out
- Conservation Council’s submissions on federal coal and gas regulations
- Smart step toward healthy, sustainable communities: Conservation Council statement on plan to phase out coal, create clean energy jobs