What are the health impacts of flaring from LNG?
April 9, 2026
Kate McInnes
Earlier this year, I spent a few days in Kitimat BC, where LNG Canada has been flaring up to 15 times more gas than expected due to an equipment failure that will take three years to fix.
Every flaring event releases a toxic mix of air pollutants, including particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen and sulphur oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene. Even brief exposures to these air pollutants can harm human health.
Last month, the Health Officers Council of B.C. called for an independent assessment of the health impacts from fracking and LNG export projects, which has since been supported by councils in Dawson Creek and Squamish.
How will air pollution from Woodfibre LNG's flarestack impact communities in Howe Sound? What does it mean if Woodfibre LNG triples its capacity? How is air pollution from Tilbury LNG affecting Vancouver residents?
Attend a community forum near you to find out...
On behalf of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE BC), the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE), Lax'yip Firekeepers, and My Sea to Sky, we would like to invite you to attend a community forum to learn about the human health impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in BC.
Doctors and nurses will share the latest research on the threats that LNG development poses for public health and BC’s healthcare system, especially in rural and Indigenous communities. Residents will share their firsthand experience in Kitimat where excess flaring by LNG Canada is affecting the health and wellbeing of community members.
At a time when many British Columbians are looking for credible, accessible information about the health implications of fossil fuel expansion, we believe it is important to create opportunities for dialogue grounded in public health expertise and frontline community experience.
Key speakers:
- Dr Tim Takaro, Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
- Dr Melissa Lem, Family Doctor and Past President of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (Vancouver only)
- Ankur Patel, Kitimat Acute Care Nurse, Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment
- Lax'yip Firekeepers
Squamish
Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30pm)
Location: Brackendale Art Gallery
Vancouver
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30pm)
Location: SFU Harbour Centre - Fletcher Challenge Theatre
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We can't take clean air for granted.
Kate McInnes
Director of Health and Economic Campaigns
My Sea to Sky
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?