Sun Safe BC

Sun Safe BC is a provincial coalition coordinated by BC Cancer. We work to protect people from the harmful effects of the sun.

The coalition brings together partners from health authorities, universities, non-profit organizations and foundations that are committed to advancing sun protection efforts. Together, we advocate for government policy change and share sun safety information with people across British Columbia.

Priorities

Sun Safe BC focuses on four key areas to reduce UV exposure and promote sun safety:

Changing attitudes and behaviours

We help people understand the risks of UV exposure and encourage everyday sun protection habits.

Supporting educators and service providers

We ensure that people who work with priority populations, such as children and outdoor workers, have the knowledge and tools to promote sun safety.

Creating sun-safe environments

We encourage the inclusion of shade and UV protection measures in outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, parks and public areas.

Strengthening policies

We work at the provincial level to support policies that make sun safety a priority in urban planning, workplace safety, and public health initiatives.

Key initiatives

Over the years, Sun Safe BC has supported a variety of initiatives to help reduce UV exposure in British Columbia, including:

  • Developing resources that help early childhood education and care centres incorporate sun safety into everyday practices
  • Supporting shade-friendly urban design and planning strategies
  • Providing educational resources that raise awareness of UV exposure risks
  • Partnering with community organizations to expand sun protection efforts across the province

Sample projects

 

BC Cancer and Sun Safe BC led several shade pilot projects to explore how shade can help prevent skin cancer and create more comfortable outdoor play spaces. These projects brought together organizations and municipalities to test different shade solutions at childcare centres across British Columbia.

Project partners included the City of Vancouver, UBC’s Play Outside Lab, UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Emily Carr University, YMCA Child Care, the Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres, and Indigenous early learning programs.

The projects used a variety of shade solutions, including:

  • Natural shade, such as trees, shrubs and other plants
  • Temporary shade, such as shade netting and umbrellas
  • Built shade, such as shade sails and pergolas

To date, these projects have resulted in sun-safe outdoor improvements at more than 20 early childhood education and care centres, benefiting more than 600 children and early childhood educators each year.

 

Sun Safe BC offered workshops for early childhood educators (ECEs) that counted toward professional development requirements.

ECEs play an important role in protecting children from UV radiation. The training covered skin cancer prevention, UV radiation, and practical sun safety strategies that educators can use in daily childcare routines.

 

Led by coalition partner Save Your Skin Foundation, this initiative supports the installation of sunscreen dispensers in selected parks and public spaces across British Columbia.

Since 2022, more than 20 sunscreen dispensers have been installed in locations including New Westminster, Kelowna, Richmond, Penticton and Lake Cowichan.

 

The shade working group brought together health authority partners from across British Columbia to review the latest evidence and best practices related to shade policies and regulations.

The group worked with municipalities to advance evidence-based shade policies and strategies that reflect local needs. A key focus was improving equitable access to shade in public spaces.

Resources

Learn more