TERRACE, BC — Amidst growing concerns over air quality and industrial emissions, Terrace City Council has formally called on the provincial government to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative human health impacts of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry.
A Call for Oversight and Accountability
On April 27, 2026, Council voted to support a request from local physician Dr. Marie-Lyne Bourassa, who expressed deep alarm regarding the ongoing emissions and smoke emanating from the LNG Canada facility in Kitimat. The motion, moved by Councillor Dave Gordon and seconded by Councillor Sarah Zimmerman, seeks to establish rigorous baseline data as regional projects like Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims move closer to becoming operational.
Dr. Bourassa’s letter to Council highlighted that flaring releases a “toxic mix of air pollutants,” such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, which can harm human health even after brief exposures. “We must ask our elected leaders to fully examine how industry expansion could affect people’s wellbeing,” she wrote.+1
Flaring Violations and “Black Smoke” Orders
The Council’s decision follows a recent enforcement action by the B.C. Energy Regulator (BCER). On April 23, 2026, the BCER issued an order to LNG Canada regarding “black smoke flaring” violations.
- Inspections conducted in February 2026 identified at least two instances of non-compliance, including one flaring event that lasted more than seven hours.
- The regulator has ordered the company to identify the root causes of the black smoke and implement corrective measures by October 15, 2026.
- Emerging documents show that between October 2025 and January 2026, flaring at the facility exceeded permitted volumes by an average of 40 to 45 times for certain flare categories.
Community Health vs. Industrial Growth
While Terrace leaders emphasized their continued support for industrial development, they stressed that the health of residents must remain a priority. Mayor Sean Bujtas expressed disappointment, noting that although the facility was marketed as the “cleanest in the world,” the current levels of smoke and flaring do not reflect that standard.
“I do want the voice for our people and our health to be heard,” stated Councillor Gordon. The motion makes Terrace the fourth B.C. municipality to request an independent cumulative health impact assessment from the province.
