Congratulations Dr. Vipond!

2024 recipient of the Canadian Medical Association Award for Political Advocacy

We at the Calgary Climate Hub are thrilled to announce that Dr. Joe Vipond, co-founder of the Hub and current Board member, has been honoured with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Award for Political Advocacy.

Dr. Vipond’s firsthand experience with the health effects of climate change as an emergency physician has propelled his decade-long commitment to advocating for environmental policy reforms. His sustained advocacy was instrumental in pushing Alberta to phase out coal-fired electricity, culminating in the government’s 2015 decision to close all coal-fired plants by 2030. That goal was achieved this July with the closing of Alberta's last coal-fired generation plant, 6 years earlier than expected.

Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Vipond has been a pivotal leader, serving as past president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and co-founding the Calgary Climate Hub. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-founded the Canadian Covid Society, Masks4Canada and Protect Our Province Alberta, advocating for evidence-based health policies. Dr. Vipond is also a clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary and a scientific advisor for the World Health Network.

We are incredibly proud of Dr. Vipond’s accomplishments and his influential role in health and climate advocacy. Congratulations, Dr. Vipond, on this well-deserved recognition.