FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16th, 2026
The members of New Brunswick Environmental Rights Caucus (ERC) are concerned that the proposed plant could adversely affect human health through impacts on air quality, water quality, soil quality, and food systems. The project may release air pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, xylenes, and other air contaminants commonly associated with fossil fuel combustion. The World Health Organization (WHO), Health Canada, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have documented links between exposure to these pollutants and respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, asthma exacerbation, adverse pregnancy outcomes, cancer, and premature mortality (WHO, 2021; Health Canada, Air Quality; EPA, Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter).
“Air pollution harms everyone, but it is our children, elders, pregnant individuals, and people with pre-existing lung and heart conditions who may experience the most severe effects,” said spokesperson Marg Milburn. Vulnerable populations are recognized by the WHO and Health Canada as being at increased risk from air pollution exposure (WHO Air Quality and Health; Health Canada, Air Quality).
Milburn stressed that “We need to transition away from fossil fuels. We know that gas plants emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Climate change is already increasing the frequency and severity of extreme heat events, droughts, storms, flooding, and wildfires, creating growing risks for present and future generations” (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, 2023).
As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned in 2023: “Fossil fuels are incompatible with human survival, and governments must accelerate the transition to renewable energy” (United Nations Secretary-General Press Conference on Climate, June 15th, 2023).
Therefore, if this Project proceeds without adequate consideration of health and environmental impacts, the Environmental Rights Caucus believes serious concerns may arise regarding Charter-protected rights, particularly the right to life, liberty, and security of the person under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Government of Canada, Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms).
RECOMMENDATION 1
In our view, this Project requires a Public Health Risk Assessment (PHRA) that considers all health concerns raised by citizens. Historically, such an assessment was completed for the Irving Oil Refinery Expansion Project following recommendations from the Minister of the Environment.
The proposed gas plant may contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a secondary pollutant created when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. Ground-level ozone is associated with respiratory irritation, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, and damage to vegetation and ecosystems (WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines, 2021; EPA Ground-Level Ozone Pollution). The ERC urges the Minister to order such an assessment because the health of both people and ecosystems must be considered before this Project proceeds.
RECOMMENDATION 2
The members of ERC requests an independent environmental and health assessment conducted by a panel of experts to examine all significant public health and environmental concerns. We recommend that the Minister move the project to the next step in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process: a Comprehensive Review Assessment under the EIA Regulation.
As stated by the Government of New Brunswick, Comprehensive EIAs provide additional opportunities for public participation, Indigenous engagement, and expert review where significant impacts are possible or where further study is warranted (Government of New Brunswick, Environmental Impact Assessment Program).
We, the undersigned, therefore urge the Minister not to approve this Project until all requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation have been fulfilled (Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 87-83, Clean Environment Act).
Based on our collective knowledge, experience, and the available scientific literature on air pollution and public health, we remain gravely concerned about the potential health impacts of the proposed Tantramar Gas Plant and recommend that the Minister not approve the Project.
Submitted by:
The members of the Environmental Rights Caucus of the New Brunswick Environmental Network:
- Samuel Arnold – Sustainable Energy Group, Carleton County
- Bonnie Hamilton Bogart – Voices for Sustainable Environments and Communities
- Gordon Dalzell – Citizens Coalition for Clean Air
- Denise Melanson – Council of Canadians, Kent County Chapter
- Marg Milburn, Chair – The Climate Reality Project Canada
- Saadia Hara – UNBSJ Medical Student
Media Contacts
- Marg Milburn, Chair, Fredericton
- The Climate Reality Project Canada
- (506) 238-8295
- Denise Melanson, Kent County
- Council of Canadians, Kent County Chapter
- (506) 523-9467
- Sam Arnold, Carleton County
- Sustainable Energy Group, Carleton County
- (506) 328-9420
- Gordon Dalzell, Saint John
- Citizens Coalition for Clean Air
- (506) 696-3510
REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Government of Canada. "Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/how-rights-protected/guide-canadian-charter-rights-freedoms.html
Government of New Brunswick. Environmental Impact Assessment in New Brunswick.
https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/environment-resources/environmental-assessment/projects.html
Government of New Brunswick. Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 87-83 under the Clean Environment Act.
https://laws.gnb.ca/en/document/cr/87-83
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Press Conference on Climate, June 15th, 2023.
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2023-06-15/secretary-generals-press-encounter-climate
World Health Organization (WHO). Air Pollution.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution
World Health Organization (WHO). Air Quality and Health.
https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/air-quality-and-health
World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide. Geneva: WHO, 2021.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
Health Canada. Human Health Effects of Air Pollution.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality.html
Health Canada. National Air Pollution Surveillance Program (NAPS).
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-pollution/monitoring-networks-data/national-air-pollution-program.html
Environment and Climate Change Canada. Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/air-emissions-inventory-overview.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM).
https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ground-Level Ozone Pollution.
https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Pollution.
https://www.epa.gov/no2-pollution
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS): Benzene.
https://iris.epa.gov
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Outdoor Air Pollution. IARC Monographs Volume 109. Lyon, France: World Health Organization, 2016.
https://publications.iarc.fr/538
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Benzene. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans.
https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023.
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Fossil Fuels and Health.
https://cape.ca
