Protecting Population Health Through Environmental Assessments

Details

Environmental Assessments are critical planning and decision-making processes that shape how large infrastructure and industrial projects are evaluated in British Columbia—and they present a significant opportunity for upstream public health action. This presentation explores how Vancouver Coastal Health’s Public Health team engages in the provincial Environmental Assessment process for major projects. It provides an overview of what environmental assessments are, how the BC Environmental Assessment Office and project applicants operate, and the role of the Technical Advisory Committee, including regional health authorities, in reviewing and mitigating potential impacts. The presentation highlights how public health expertise is applied to identify, assess, and mitigate potential human health risks before projects are approved.

Presentation goal:

• To increase understanding of the BC Environmental Assessment process and where VCH public health fits within it.

Please contact Pamela Lee for attendance details.

Emily Peterson

Senior Environmental Health Scientist
Vancouver Coastal Health – Public Health

Emily Peterson serves as the Senior Environmental Health Scientist for Vancouver Coastal Health Public Health. She works in partnership with local and regional governments, academics, and community organizations on a wide range of environmental health topics including air quality, environmental contamination, healthy community design, and climate change.

Brandon Yau

Medical Health Officer
Vancouver Coastal Health

Dr. Brandon Yau is a public health and preventive medicine physician. He is a Medical Health Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, and supports work related to injury prevention, healthy built environment, legal substances, and environmental public health.